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SB 1815

Relating to the transition of the nurse aide certification program from the Health and Human Services Commission to the Texas Board of Nursing and the creation of a workgroup on nursing career pathways.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Kelly Hancock

Transfers nurse aide certification from health commission to nursing board and creates workgroup to develop career advancement pathways for nursing roles.

Referred to Health & Human Services
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Bill Summary · SB 1815

Legislative bill overview

SB 1815 transfers administration of Texas's nurse aide certification program from the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to the Texas Board of Nursing (TBN). The bill also creates a workgroup tasked with developing recommendations for nursing career pathways in the state.

Why is this important

Nurse aides are critical frontline healthcare workers in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. Shifting oversight to a specialized nursing board could streamline certification, improve consistency with broader nursing regulation, and clarify career progression—potentially affecting workforce recruitment and retention in healthcare. The career pathways workgroup addresses documented gaps in how nurse aides can advance professionally.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory authority shift: HHSC currently manages this program; moving it requires determining how to handle existing staff, processes, and funding without disruption to certification timelines
  • Implementation costs: TBN will need resources to absorb the program; unclear whether the bill adequately funds this transition or if it becomes an unfunded mandate
  • Career pathway scope: The workgroup's recommendations lack enforcement mechanism—it remains unclear whether resulting pathways will be binding or advisory, affecting practical impact

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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