85R2575 JG-D
 
  By: Howard, Klick, Coleman H.B. No. 280
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a grant program for reducing workplace violence against
  nurses.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 105, Health and Safety Code, is amended
  by adding Section 105.011 to read as follows:
         Sec. 105.011.  WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION GRANT PROGRAM.
  (a)  To the extent funding is available, the nursing resource
  section established under Section 105.002 shall administer a grant
  program to fund innovative approaches for reducing verbal and
  physical violence against nurses in hospitals, freestanding
  emergency medical care facilities, nursing facilities, and home
  health agencies. 
         (b)  The nursing resource section shall require a grant
  recipient to submit periodic reports describing the outcome of the
  activities funded through the grant, including any change in the
  severity and frequency of verbal and physical violence against
  nurses.
         (c)  The nursing advisory committee established by Section
  104.0155 shall serve in an advisory capacity for the grant program.
         (d)  The department shall provide administrative assistance
  to the nursing resource section in administering the grant program
  under this section. 
         (e)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to
  implement the grant program, including rules governing the
  submission and approval of grant requests and establishing a
  reporting procedure for grant recipients. 
         (f)  The nursing resource section may use money transferred
  to the department from the Texas Board of Nursing under Section
  301.155, Occupations Code, to fund the grants authorized by this
  section.
         (g)  At least annually, the nursing resource section shall
  publish a report describing the grants awarded under this section,
  including the amount of the grant, the purpose of the grant, and the
  reported outcome of the approach adopted by the grant recipient. 
         SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date
  of this Act, the executive commissioner of the Health and Human
  Services Commission shall adopt the rules necessary to implement
  Section 105.011, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.