TITLE examining-boards

Part XI. Board of Nurse Examiners

Chapter 215. Nurse Education

22 TAC §§215.2-215.6, 215.14, 215.20

The Board of Nurse Examiners adopts amendments to §§215.2-215.6, concerning Definitions, New Programs, Accreditation, Pass Rate of Graduates on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and Administration and Organization and new §215.14 and §215.20 relating to Extended Campus/Extension Site and Closing of a Nursing Program or Distance Education Initiative with no changes in the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 12203).

The amendments and new sections are being adopted to address the delivery of nursing courses via distance learning technologies. In January 1997 the Board of Nurse Examiners (BNE) directed the Advisory Committee for Education (ACE) to review current education rules regarding extended campuses/extension sites and to make recommendations for possible rule changes. A subcommittee of the ACE was formed consisting of nursing faculty and nursing practice representatives with expertise in distance education. The subcommittee met on four occasions and developed recommended rule changes which were presented and approved by ACE who then sent their recommendations to the Board.

The amendments and new rules will streamline the process for nursing programs to deliver partial and/or complete programs of study to physical locations separated by distance from their main campus.

No comments were received.

The amendments are adopted under the Nursing Practice Act, (Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4514), §1, which provides the Board of Nurse Examiners with the authority and power to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties and conducting of proceedings before it and Article 4518, §1, which requires the Board to prescribe and publish the minimum requirements and standards for a course of study in programs which prepare professional nurse practitioners. All other regulations necessary to conduct accredited schools of nursing and educational programs for the preparation of professional nurses shall be as prescribed by the Board.

There are no other rules, codes, or statutes that will be affected by this proposal.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 1998.

TRD-9800585

Katherine A. Thomas, MN, RN

Executive Director

Board of Nurse Examiners

Effective date: February 3, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6811


22 TAC §215.14, §215.20

The Board of Nurse Examiners adopts the repeal of §215.14 and §215.20, concerning Extended Campus/Extension Site and Closing of a Nursing Program with no changes in the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 12205).

The adopted repeal will allow for the adoption of new sections that will streamline the process for nursing programs to deliver partial and/or complete programs of study to physical locations separated by distance from their main campus.

No comments were received.

The adopted repeal is adopted under the Nursing Practice Act, (Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4514), §1, which provides the Board of Nurse Examiners with the authority and power to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties and conducting of proceedings before it.

There are no other rules, codes, or statutes that will be effected by this proposal.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 1998.

TRD-9800584

Katherine A. Thomas, MN, RN

Executive Director

Board of Nurse Examiners

Effective date: February 3, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6811


Chapter 217. Licensure and Practice

22 TAC §217.5

The Board of Nurse Examiners adopts an amendment to §217.5, concerning Temporary License and Endorsement with no changes in the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 12206).

The adopted amendment will harmonize the procedures and fees charged for eligibility determination for examination applicants, declaratory order petitioners and endorsees by equalizing the procedures and fees applied to all persons seeking licensure, regardless of the method of entry.

No comments were received.

The amendments are adopted under the Nursing Practice Act, (Texas Civil Statutes), Article 4514, §1, which provides the Board of Nurse Examiners with the authority and power to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties and conducting of proceedings before it and Article 4525(a) which authorizes the Board to refuse to admit persons to the licensing examination.

Article 4525(a) is affected by this section.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 1998.

TRD-9800586

Katherine A. Thomas, MN, RN

Executive Director

Board of Nurse Examiners

Effective date: February 3, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6811


Chapter 221. Advanced Practice Nurses

22 TAC §221.1, §221.12

The Board of Nurse Examiners adopts amendments to §221.1 and §221.12, concerning Definitions and Functions with no changes in the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 12206).

The amendments are being adopted in order that the definition of protocols/ policies/practice guidelines between physicians and APNs more accurately reflect the Board of Medical Examiners' rules made pursuant to legislation passed in 1995. The current rule became effective in June, 1995. Adoption of these amendments will increase assurance that the APN and the physician will review their protocols/ policies/practice guidelines more frequently, thus assuring better protection of the public.

No comments were received.

The amendments are adopted under the Nursing Practice Act, (Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4514), §1, which provides the Board of Nurse Examiners with the authority and power to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties and conducting of proceedings before it and Article 4514, §8, which provides the Board of Nurse Examiners the authority and power to adopt rules for approval of a registered nurse to practice as an advanced practice nurse.

There are no other rules, codes, or statutes that will be affected by this proposal.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 1998.

TRD-9800587

Katherine A. Thomas, MN, RN

Executive Director

Board of Nurse Examiners

Effective date: February 3, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6811


Chapter 222. Advanced Practice Nurses with Limited Prescriptive Authority

22 TAC §222.1

The Board of Nurse Examiners adopts an amendment to §222.1, concerning Definitions with no changes in the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 12207).

The amendment is being adopted to bring the Board's rules into compliance with statutes and expands the practice scope of advanced practice nurses. During the 75th Legislative Session, House Bill 2846 was passed relating to the provisions of health care services by advanced practice nurses including expansion of sites for limited prescriptive authority. Specifically, the law amended the definition of physician's primary practice site to include "a clinic operated by or for the benefit of a public school district for the purpose of providing care to the students of that district and the siblings of those students, if consent to treatment at that clinic is obtained."

The amendment will provide the public with expanded access to health care through the addition of the definition of primary practice site to include the public school district clinics.

No comments were received.

The amendments are adopted under the Nursing Practice Act, (Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4514), §1, which provides the Board of Nurse Examiners with the authority and power to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties and conducting of proceedings before it and Article 4514, §8, which provides the Board of Nurse Examiners the authority and power to adopt rules for approval of a registered nurse to practice as an advanced practice nurse.

There are no other rules, codes, or statutes that will be affected by this proposal.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 14, 1998.

TRD-9800588

Katherine A. Thomas, MN, RN

Executive Director

Board of Nurse Examiners

Effective date: February 3, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6811


Part XVII. Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiner

Chapter 361. Administration

Petition for Adoption of Rules

22 TAC §361.22

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners adopts an amendment to §361.22, concerning Contested Cases: Hearings, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 12208). The amendment specifies that an applicant that has been denied an examination, license, or endorsement, has 20 days to request a hearing after Board notification according to the Act and the Administrative Procedure Act.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6243-101, which provide the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 16, 1998.

TRD-9800739

Robert L. Maxwell

Chief of Field Services/Investigations

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Effective date: February 5, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 458-2145 Ext. 233


22 TAC §361.28

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners adopts an amendment to §361.28, concerning Preliminary Criminal Reviews, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 Tex Reg 12208). The amendment specifies the process for the preliminary review of applicants requests for examination or licensure, when the applicants have previous criminal convictions. The amendment allows applicants that do not represent a threat to the health and safety of the public by holding a plumbing license, to be approved for examination or licensure by the Chief Examiner or Chief Field Representative. The word "drugs" was changed from the original languange to the term "controlled substance" for clarification purposes and does not change the meaning or intent of the rule.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6243-101, which provide the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 16, 1998.

TRD-9800740

Robert L. Maxwell

Chief of Field Services/Investigations

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Effective date: February 5, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 458-2145 Ext. 233


Chapter 365. Licensing

Petition for Adoption of Rules

22 TAC §365.11

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners adopts an amendment §365.11, concenring Exemptions, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 Tex Reg 12209). The amendment specifies that another state must have substantially equivalent requirements for licensure in order for the Board to waive any licensing requirement.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6243-101, which provide the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 16, 1998.

TRD-9800741

Robert L. Maxwell

Chief of Field Services/Investigations

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Effective date: February 5, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 458-2145 Ext. 233


22 TAC §365.12

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners adopts an amendment §365.12, concerning Licensing of Persons with Criminal Backgrounds, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 12209). The amendment specifies that the Board considers the crimes of theft and possession of a controlled substance to be directly related to the duties and responsibilities of licensed plumbers and plumbing inspectors.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6243-101, which provide the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 16, 1998.

TRD-9800742

Robert L. Maxwell

Chief of Field Services/Investigations

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Effective date: February 5, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 458-2145 Ext. 233


Chapter 367. Enforcement

22 TAC §367.1

The Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners adopts an amendment to §367.1, concerning General Provisions, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 1997, issue of the Texas Register (22 TexReg 12210). The amendment specifies the duties of the Board in regard to all applicable laws including the Act and Board Rules. This amendment is being proposed to clarify the requirements for potable water supply piping for every plumbing fixture including water closet plumbing fixtures and other equipment that use water to be installed to prevent the back flow of non-potable substances into the potable water system according to the provisions of a state approved plumbing code.

No comments were received regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6243-101, which provide the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 16, 1998.

TRD-9800743

Robert L. Maxwell

Chief of Field Services/Investigations

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners

Effective date: February 5, 1998

Proposal publication date: December 12, 1997

For further information, please call: (512) 458-2145 Ext. 233