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 independent practice for qualified nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. The bill introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding APRNs' roles, including their ability to prescribe controlled substances and outlines the requirements for independent practice authorization. It also modifies existing language in the Occupations Code to streamline definitions and roles, ensuring that APRNs can operate with greater autonomy, particularly in underserved areas, while adhering to patient safety standards.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Health and Safety Code, Occupations Code, and Insurance Code to expand the authority of APRNs and physician assistants (PAs) in prescribing and ordering medications. It allows APRNs and PAs to communicate prescriptions and order durable medical equipment, ensuring they are recognized as providers by health maintenance organizations. The legislation also updates the process for dispensing dangerous drugs, permits APRNs to prescribe orthotic and prosthetic devices under supervision, and mandates a study on the impact of these changes on healthcare access in rural areas. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, with provisions for the Texas Board of Nursing to adopt necessary rules by February 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 301.002, Occupations Code 301.005, Occupations Code 301.152, Occupations Code 301.303, Occupations Code 157.0512, 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 (Estates Code 502, Occupations Code 157, Occupations Code 1701, Occupations Code 203, Insurance Code 1452, Health and Safety Code 301, Occupations Code 551, Labor Code 408, Human Resources Code 32, Human Resources Code 42, Occupations Code 301, Education Code 61, Health and Safety Code 481, Health and Safety Code 483, Health and Safety Code 773, Education Code 38, Health and Safety Code 47, Government Code 671, Health and Safety Code 401, Occupations Code 605, Occupations Code 563, Insurance Code 843, Health and Safety Code 157)