H.B. No. 3194 amends the Texas Occupations Code regarding the grounds for denial of a nursing license or disciplinary action by the Texas Board of Nursing. The bill updates Section 301.452(b) by adding new provisions that specify additional reasons for which a nursing license may be denied or disciplinary action may be taken. Notably, it introduces a new clause that prohibits taking photographs of a patient with a personal electronic device without consent and disseminating those photographs on social media. Additionally, it expands the existing language to include failure to provide adequate care that exposes patients to unnecessary risk of harm.

The bill also removes a previous provision regarding the performance of pelvic examinations on anesthetized or unconscious patients, indicating a shift in focus towards more contemporary issues in nursing practice, such as the unauthorized use of patient images. The changes will apply only to conduct occurring on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025, ensuring that any actions taken prior to this date will be governed by the law in effect at that time.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 301.452 (Occupations Code 301)