S.B. No. 373
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to increased oversight by the Department of State Health
  Services of hospitals that commit certain violations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as the Margaret Joy Thomas
  Act.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 241, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 241.0555 to read as follows:
         Sec. 241.0555.  ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: POTENTIALLY
  PREVENTABLE ADVERSE EVENTS. (a)  If the department finds that a
  hospital has committed a violation that resulted in a potentially
  preventable adverse event reportable under Chapter 98, the
  department shall require the hospital to develop and implement a
  plan for approval by the department to address the deficiencies
  that may have contributed to the preventable adverse event.
         (b)  The department may require the plan under this section
  to include:
               (1)  staff training and education;
               (2)  supervision requirements for certain staff;
               (3)  increased staffing requirements;
               (4)  increased reporting to the department; and
               (5)  a review and amendment of hospital policies
  relating to patient safety.
         (c)  The department shall carefully and frequently monitor
  the hospital's adherence to the plan under this section and enforce
  compliance.
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies to a
  potentially preventable adverse event that occurs on or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 373 passed the Senate on
  March 23, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
  the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 19, 2015, by the
  following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 373 passed the House, with
  amendment, on May 13, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 81,
  Nays 58, two present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor