The Healthcare Expanded and Accessed Locally for Texans (HEAL Texans) Act seeks to enhance the roles and responsibilities of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Texas by expanding their licensing and authority. The bill introduces new definitions, clarifying the role of APRNs as independent practitioners with the ability to prescribe and order drugs, including controlled substances. It streamlines the process for APRNs to obtain prescribing authority and ensures they are not considered to be practicing medicine without a license when performing their authorized duties. The legislation aims to improve healthcare access and quality, particularly in underserved areas, by empowering APRNs to take on more patient care responsibilities.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing laws regarding prescriptive authority agreements, specifying that only physicians and physician assistants can enter into these agreements, thereby removing references to APRNs. It establishes requirements for these agreements, including the necessity for written documentation and protocols for patient care. The bill also introduces a collaborative process between the Texas Physician Assistant Board and the Texas Board of Nursing to share information on license holders involved in prescriptive authority agreements. Furthermore, it amends various sections of the Education, Family, Government, and Health and Safety Codes to update terminology and definitions related to APRNs, allowing them to prescribe certain medications and ensuring their recognition alongside physicians and physician assistants in healthcare delivery. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, with provisions for APRNs to continue exercising delegated prescribing authority until then.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 301.002, Occupations Code 301.005, Occupations Code 301.354, Occupations Code 157.051, Occupations Code 157.0512, Occupations Code 157.0513, Occupations Code 157.054, Occupations Code 157.055, Occupations Code 157.056, Occupations Code 157.059, Occupations Code 157.060, Education Code 38.151, Education Code 38.211, Education Code 61.601, Estates Code 502.002, Family Code 263.001, Family Code 266.001, Government Code 671.001, Health and Safety Code 47.001, Health and Safety Code 47.011, Health and Safety Code 301.152, Health and Safety Code 241.003, Health and Safety Code 481.002, Health and Safety Code 157.0511, Health and Safety Code 481.076, Health and Safety Code 481.0767, Health and Safety Code 483.001, Health and Safety Code 483.022, Health and Safety Code 483.042, Health and Safety Code 773.0145, Human Resources Code 32.024, Human Resources Code 32.03141, Human Resources Code 42.067, Insurance Code 843.312, Insurance Code 1301.052, Insurance Code 1451.001, Insurance Code 1451.104, Insurance Code 1451.106, Insurance Code 1452.051, Labor Code 408.025, Occupations Code 203.002, Occupations Code 204.1025, Occupations Code 157.0511, Occupations Code 605.002, Occupations Code 605.2515, Occupations Code 1701.703, Transportation Code 681.003 (Insurance Code 843, Family Code 263, Government Code 671, Occupations Code 157, Family Code 266, Education Code 38, Health and Safety Code 157, Occupations Code 1701, Occupations Code 204, Health and Safety Code 241, Health and Safety Code 481, Health and Safety Code 483, Insurance Code 1451, Occupations Code 203, Estates Code 502, Human Resources Code 32, Insurance Code 1452, Labor Code 408, Insurance Code 1301, Education Code 61, Human Resources Code 42, Health and Safety Code 301, Health and Safety Code 773, Transportation Code 681, Occupations Code 605, Occupations Code 301, Health and Safety Code 47)