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| TAVNE Legislative Committee Report Executive Board Meeting |
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San Antonio, Texas
Jan. 26, 2007
The Legislative Committee remains active via email. Attention has been focused on the Sunset Review process and on establishing the nursing legislative agenda for the 2007 Legislative Session (80th Legislature).
During the Executive Board meeting, we need to discuss whether we want to continue our NLAC membership for the 2007-2008 years. We also should discuss the nursing shortage, and recommendations TAVNE may want to make regarding the shortage. |
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Sunset Commission Public Hearing on November 14, 2006 (Austin, Texas)
Jackie Morgan, Karen Malloy, and Nancy Maebius attended the Sunset Commission Public Hearing on November 14, 2007. The Sunset Commission heard comments regarding the BNE and the recommendations of the Sunset staff. Gie Archer, Beverly Skloss, and Nancy Maebius submitted written testimony, which was included in the Sunset Commission minutes and listed in the Sunset Commission Decision Material Book (December, 2006). TAVNE did not submit any official position statements, but individual TAVNE members submitted comments during the last 6 months and were interviewed by Sunset staff regarding BNE advisory committees and the regulation of LVN educational programs. |
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Sunset Commission Meeting on Dec. 12, 2006 (Austin, Texas)
The Sunset Commission Decision Book was discussed by the Sunset Commission members, and the members adopted all of the recommended actions, adding three modifications to the Sunset Commission Decision Book report.
The final recommendations on the BNE adopted by the Sunset Advisory Commission on Dec. 12, 2006, will be handed out to Executive Board members. Some recommendations involve a “Change in Statute” and others involve “Management Action.” The Change in Statute recommendations require the Legislature to amend existing law. These recommendations will be incorporated into the BNE Sunset Bill that will be filed by one of the legislator members of the Commission. The Management Action recommendations can be implemented by the BNE without any change in existing law. The Sunset staff will monitor the BNE’s implementation of these recommendations. (NLAC Meeting Notebook, Jan. 13, 2007).
Additional information about the hearings, including the audio/video of the hearing and meeting, is available at the Sunset web site: http://www.sunset.state.tx.us/audioarchives.htm. |
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| Report of NLAC (Nursing Legislative Agenda Coalition) meeting on Jan. 13, 2007 (Austin, Texas) |
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| Nancy Maebius attended the NLAC meeting. The following topics were discussed: |
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| 1. |
Overview of 2007 From Health Care Perspective and How to Have Effective Input — Anne Kimbol, JD, Senate Health & Human services Committee. |
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| 2. |
Panel Discussion of Insights into the 2007 Session — Lobbyists Jennifer Banda, Mark Hanna and Jim Willmann |
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| 3. |
Non-Punitive Review of Nursing Practice |
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| 4. |
Patient Advocacy Protections and Mandatory CNE — Jim Willmann |
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Proposed amendment to require all CNE to be Type I
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| 5. |
BNE Sunset—Mary Beth Thomas, Jim Willmann |
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| 2. |
Transcription of Dialogue |
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| 3. |
Peer Assistance Background Materials |
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| 4. |
Final Decision Document of Sunset Commission (12/06) |
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| 6. |
BNE Sunset—Mary Beth Thomas, Jim Willmann |
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| 7. |
Nursing Shortage—Clair Jordan, Elizabeth Sjoberg, Jim Willmann |
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| 1. |
CNWS Recommendations (Center for Nursing Workforce Studies) |
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THECB Recommendations (Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) |
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Included in the CNWS report are recommendations regarding increasing the number of RN graduates; delaying the retirement of older, experienced nurses from the workforce; and increasing the capacity in professional nursing programs. There is no mention of LVN education programs or LVN shortages.
Included in the THECB report are completion and persistence rates findings of initial licensure RN programs. The statewide completion rate was 56%. The statewide persistence rate was 13%. (Completion rate is defined as completing the nursing curriculum within two years and persistence rate is defined has persistence in RN programs after two years). About 31% of the original student cohort did not complete the nursing program during the two-year period, and was not enrolled in the program afte two years. Once again, this study did not include LVN programs. However, many of the problems in RN programs may be related to LVN programs. In some areas, I believe the LVN programs are doing a very good job. |
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| 8. |
Allied Health Providers |
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| 1. |
Draft Surgical Tech Bill |
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Draft Lactation Consultant Bill |
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| 3. |
THA Criteria for Evaluating Allied Health Bills |
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| 9. |
Non-Legislative Issues |
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| 1. |
BNE Draft Position Statement on Limiting Hours Nurses Work |
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TDSHS Draft Revision/Update of Hospital Licensing Rules |
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THA Memo on Proposed Rules |
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| Additional Information: |
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There are 2 new member of the 80th Legislature, Texas House, who are RNs. They are: |
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Donna Howard (D) House District 48 |
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Susan King (R ) House District 71 |
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| 2. |
Tips on Advocating Issues before the Legislature and Guide to the 80th Legislature. Handout for Executive Board members. The Legislature convenes on Jan. 9, 2007, and adjourns on May 28, 2007. Bills can be tracked as follows: |
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Texas Legislature Online – www.capitol.state.tx.us Texas Senate Online – www.senate.state.ts.us.
Please contact Nancy Maebius, who has a large notebook about the legislative agenda, if you would like more information. |
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