TITLE: Relating to rules for hospital sanitation standards and a limitation on certain Department of State Health Services rules.

SUMMARY: Relating to rules for hospital sanitation standards and a limitation on certain Department of State Health Services rules.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to rules for hospital sanitation standards and a limitation on certain Department of State Health Services rules. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 241.026(a), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules and the department shall enforce the rules to further the purposes of this chapter. The rules at a minimum shall address: (1) minimum requirements for staffing by physicians and nurses; (2) hospital services relating to patient care; (3) fire prevention and [] safety [ and sanitation] requirements in hospitals; (4) patient care and a patient bill of rights; (5) compliance with other state and federal laws affecting the health, safety, and rights of hospital patients; [and] (6) compliance with nursing peer review under Subchapter I, Chapter 301, and Chapter 303, Occupations Code, and the rules of the Texas Board of Nursing relating to peer review;and (7) requirements for implementing standards for sanitation procedures established to prevent infection or illness in a hospital.SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 1001.0745 to read as follows: Sec. 1001.0745. LIMITATION ON RULEMAKING AUTHORITY FOR CERTAIN RULES. The executive commissioner by rule may only prescribe a medical care, health care, or health care facility standard that: (1) is based on widespread and peer-reviewed scientific research; and (2) reflects best practices as determined by the medical community. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.