The Healthcare Expanded and Accessed Locally for Texans (HEAL Texans) Act aims to enhance the licensing and regulation of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in Texas by introducing new definitions and clarifications regarding their roles, including the ability to prescribe medications and devices. The bill establishes independent practice for certain APRNs, such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists, who meet specific experience and educational requirements, particularly in counties with populations under 68,750. It also modifies existing definitions related to nursing practice, expands the authority of the Texas Board of Nursing to authorize APRNs to prescribe controlled substances, and mandates the establishment of rules for the application process and continuing education for APRNs seeking independent practice.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Occupations Code and Education Code to streamline the practice and reporting requirements for APRNs, including the submission of annual reports detailing practice locations and prescribing activities. It increases the limit on prescriptive authority agreements between physicians and APRNs from seven to nine and establishes new provisions regarding delegation agreements, ensuring transparency in these contracts. The bill also clarifies the role of APRNs in prescribing medications in various healthcare settings and ensures that health maintenance organizations recognize them as primary care providers. Furthermore, it mandates a study by the Texas Board of Nursing to assess the impact of these changes on healthcare access and patient outcomes in rural areas, with a report due by September 1, 2028. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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