H.B. No. 3794 seeks to enhance the licensing and regulation of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Texas, focusing on their independent practice and prescribing authority. The bill introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding the roles of APRNs, including nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. It amends the Occupations Code to allow APRNs to practice independently, order diagnostic tests, formulate diagnoses, and prescribe medications, contingent upon meeting specific educational and training requirements set by the Texas Board of Nursing. Additionally, the bill mandates that certain government employee health plans reimburse services provided by independent APRNs at rates comparable to those for physicians, unless a supervising physician has made a decision regarding the participant's care on the same day.

The bill also includes amendments to the Insurance Code, defining independent APRNs and requiring reimbursement for their services at applicable rates. It establishes network adequacy standards that consider independent APRNs and mandates a report on cost savings from these provisions by December 1, 2026. Furthermore, the bill expands the roles of APRNs and physician assistants (PAs) in the healthcare system, allowing them to prescribe durable medical equipment and supplies, and clarifying their authority in various contexts. It also repeals Section 301.152(a) of the Occupations Code and requires the Texas Board of Nursing to adopt necessary rules by February 1, 2026, with an effective date for the bill set for September 1, 2025. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline healthcare delivery and enhance access to care, particularly in underserved areas.

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 47.011, Health and Safety Code 301.152, 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 (Occupations Code 157, Health and Safety Code 47, Government Code 671, Health and Safety Code 401, Labor Code 408, Health and Safety Code 773, Occupations Code 1701, Health and Safety Code 483, Insurance Code 1452, Occupations Code 563, Occupations Code 605, Health and Safety Code 481, Health and Safety Code 301, Education Code 38, Insurance Code 843, Human Resources Code 42, Estates Code 502, Occupations Code 551, Human Resources Code 32, Occupations Code 301, Education Code 61, Health and Safety Code 157, Occupations Code 203)