The Healthcare Expanded and Accessed Locally for Texans (HEAL Texans) Act seeks to enhance the licensing and regulation of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Texas by establishing a framework for independent practice. The bill introduces new definitions for terms such as "advanced practice registered nurse," "controlled substance," and "dangerous drug," while clarifying the scope of practice for APRNs. It allows APRNs to operate without direct supervision from a physician after fulfilling specific clinical practice hour requirements and completing necessary education. Additionally, the bill expands the prescribing authority of APRNs, enabling them to prescribe and order medications, including controlled substances, under the oversight of the Texas Board of Nursing.

Key amendments include the recognition of APRNs as primary care providers for medical assistance recipients and their ability to prescribe dangerous drugs, including epinephrine auto-injectors. The bill also modifies the definition of "prosthetics" to include APRNs and physician assistants as authorized professionals who can prescribe and order prosthetic devices. Furthermore, it establishes that both physicians and APRNs can maintain a supply of dangerous drugs for dispensing in their practices, provided they adhere to labeling and recordkeeping requirements. The Texas Board of Nursing is mandated to adopt necessary rules to implement these changes by February 1, 2026, with the Act set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 301.002, Occupations Code 301.005, Occupations Code 301.152, Occupations Code 301.303, Education Code 38.151, Education Code 38.211, Education Code 38.225, Education Code 61.601, Estates Code 502.002, Government Code 671.001, Health and Safety Code 161.0052, Health and Safety Code 401.504, 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 301.358, 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 1452.051, Labor Code 408.025, Occupations Code 157.051, Occupations Code 203.002, Occupations Code 551.003, Occupations Code 157.0511, Occupations Code 563.053, Occupations Code 605.002, Occupations Code 605.2515, Occupations Code 1701.703 (Health and Safety Code 301, Occupations Code 1701, Insurance Code 1452, Occupations Code 605, Occupations Code 157, Health and Safety Code 161, Occupations Code 203, Health and Safety Code 483, Estates Code 502, Education Code 61, Labor Code 408, Health and Safety Code 157, Health and Safety Code 773, Human Resources Code 32, Health and Safety Code 401, Insurance Code 843, Education Code 38, Occupations Code 551, Occupations Code 563, Human Resources Code 42, Health and Safety Code 481, Occupations Code 301, Government Code 671)