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 introducing new definitions and clarifications regarding their roles, including the ability to prescribe medications independently for qualified APRNs. The bill establishes criteria for independent practice, outlines the scope of practice for APRNs, and mandates that they submit annual reports detailing their practice locations and prescribing activities. It also modifies existing language in the Occupations Code to streamline definitions and clarify the roles of APRNs, with the Texas Board of Nursing overseeing the licensing process and establishing rules for medication prescriptions.

Additionally, the bill expands the authority of APRNs and physician assistants (PAs) in prescribing and ordering drugs, ensuring they are recognized as primary care providers by health maintenance organizations. It allows both APRNs and physicians to maintain a supply of dangerous drugs for patient treatment without needing a specific license, provided they comply with certain requirements. The legislation also updates definitions related to orthotics and prosthetics, mandates a study on the impact of these changes on healthcare access in rural areas, and sets a timeline for implementation, with the bill taking 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 (Occupations Code 301, Insurance Code 1452, Labor Code 408, Human Resources Code 32, Human Resources Code 42, Health and Safety Code 401, Health and Safety Code 481, Education Code 38, Insurance Code 843, Health and Safety Code 157, Government Code 671, Health and Safety Code 483, Estates Code 502, Occupations Code 203, Occupations Code 605, Occupations Code 563, Health and Safety Code 47, Health and Safety Code 301, Occupations Code 551, Health and Safety Code 773, Education Code 61, Occupations Code 1701, Occupations Code 157)