85R2575 JG-D     By: Howard 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.