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 providing a clearer definition of APRNs and allowing for independent practice under certain conditions. The bill introduces new provisions that enable APRNs with adequate clinical practice hours and education to operate without direct physician supervision. It also establishes a fee structure for licensing and mandates the Texas Board of Nursing to adopt rules for the approval and regulation of APRNs. Key amendments include Sections 301.357 and 301.358, which outline the criteria for independent practice and prescribing authority, including the ability to prescribe controlled substances under specific conditions.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Health and Safety Code, Human Resources Code, and Occupations Code to expand the roles of APRNs and physician assistants (PAs) in prescribing medications and medical supplies. It allows APRNs and PAs to prescribe dangerous drugs and durable medical equipment, and designates them as primary care providers for medical assistance recipients. The legislation also updates the definition of "prosthetics" to include APRNs and PAs as authorized professionals for prescribing prosthetic devices, and modifies the prescriptive authority for epinephrine auto-injectors. The bill aims to improve healthcare access by empowering APRNs and PAs, particularly in underserved areas, while ensuring compliance with medical regulations. The effective date for the bill is set for 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 483, Health and Safety Code 301, Health and Safety Code 157, Education Code 61, Occupations Code 301, Health and Safety Code 401, Occupations Code 157, Occupations Code 605, Occupations Code 563, Education Code 38, Government Code 671, Human Resources Code 32, Occupations Code 551, Estates Code 502, Human Resources Code 42, Health and Safety Code 161, Occupations Code 203, Health and Safety Code 773, Insurance Code 1452, Labor Code 408, Health and Safety Code 481, Occupations Code 1701, Insurance Code 843)