H.B. No. 3415 seeks to strengthen the regulation of health professionals in Texas by revising advertising and billing practices. The bill amends the heading of Subchapter E, Chapter 101 of the Occupations Code to emphasize "Certain Practices Related to Advertising and Billing Prohibited," moving away from the previous focus on license revocation grounds. It introduces new definitions regarding false or misleading advertising, specifically prohibiting the misrepresentation of credentials, education, and licensing. Additionally, it mandates that advertising must include the health care professional's name and required identification, while also defining what constitutes advertising. The bill allows healing art licensing boards to impose administrative penalties of up to $1,000 for each violation, with each day a violation continues counting as a separate offense.

Moreover, the bill updates the titles and designations for various nursing professionals in Texas, providing new definitions for roles such as licensed vocational nurses and nurse practitioners. It prohibits individuals holding a nursing license from using the title "doctor" unless they also have a license from the Texas Medical Board. Nurses are required to wear a clearly legible insignia identifying their professional designation when interacting with the public. The legislation also includes a provision against false or deceptive advertising by nurses, ensuring that all advertising is truthful and verifiable. These changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, applying only to conduct occurring after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 101.201, Occupations Code 104.003, Occupations Code 104.005, Occupations Code 165.156, Occupations Code 204.203, Occupations Code 301.351 (Occupations Code 301, Occupations Code 104, Occupations Code 101, Occupations Code 204, Occupations Code 165)