SECTION 211.6. Committees of the Board

(a) The following are standing and permanent committees of the board, as established by the board in accordance with the Nursing Practice Act. The responsibilities and authority of these committees include those duties and powers as set forth including other responsibilities and charges which the board may from time to time delegate to these committees.

(b) Eligibility and Disciplinary Committee.

(1) Members of the committee shall be appointed by the president and shall consist of one consumer member and two nurse members. The President shall have authority to substitute committee members when necessary to establish a quorum due to absences of standing members.

(2) The chair shall be named by the president.

(3) Duties and powers.

(A) The Committee shall have the authority to determine all matters of eligibility for licensure and discipline of licenses, including temporary suspension of a license, administrative and civil penalties, and consideration and resolution of a default dismissal from the State Office of Administrative Hearings pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §2001.058(d-1).

(B) The Committee shall have the authority to approve the adoption of rules on an emergency basis pursuant to Tex. Gov't Code §2001.034.

(4) Quorum. Two eligible voting members shall establish a quorum of the Committee of which at least one member is a nurse.

(5) Tele-conference. A meeting by the Committee may be held by telephone conference call or video conference call as authorized by Texas Government Code chapter 551.

(c) Education Liaison. The three board members representing nursing educational programs shall serve as advisory to the staff on matters pertaining to faculty waivers, proposed curriculum revisions and other issues that may arise between regular board meetings. The recommendations of the liaison members are presented to the board at the next regular meeting for consideration.

(d) Advanced Practice Liaison. Three members shall be designated by the president to serve as advisory to the staff on matters pertaining to advanced practitioner waivers and other issues that may arise between regular board meetings. The recommendation of the liaison members are presented to the board at the next regular meeting for consideration.

(e) Other standing or ad hoc committees. The board may designate other standing or ad hoc committees as deemed necessary. Such committees shall have and exercise such authority as may be granted by the board.

(f) Advisory Committees. The president may appoint, with the authorization of the board, advisory committees for the performance of such activities as may be appropriate or required by law.

(1) The board has established the following committees that advise the board on a continuous basis or as charged by the Board:

(A) the Advanced Practice Nursing Advisory Committee (APNAC) advises the Board on practice issues and regulations that have or may have an impact on advanced practice nursing. The APNAC is comprised of representatives from the following:

(i) Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TANA);

(ii) Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice (CNAP);

(iii) Texas Nurse Practitioners (TNP);

(iv) Consortium of Texas Certified Nurse-Midwives (CTCNM);

(v) Texas Clinical Nurse Specialists (TXCNS);

(vi) Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE);

(vii) Texas Nurses Association (TNA);

(viii) CRNA Educator;

(ix) CNS Education;

(x) CNM Education;

(xi) NP Educator; and

(xii) other members approved by the Board.

(B) the Advisory Committee on Education (ACE) advises the Board on education and practice issues that have or may have an impact on the regulation of nursing education in Texas. The ACE is comprised of representatives from the following:

(i) Licensed Vocational Nurses Association of Texas (LVNAT);

(ii) Texas Association of Vocational Nurse Educators (TAVNE);

(iii) Texas Organization of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nursing Education (TOBGNE);

(iv) Texas Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (TOADN);

(v) Texas League for Vocational Nursing (TLVN);

(vi) Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE);

(vii) Texas Nurses Association (TNA);

(viii) Texas Association of Deans and Directors Professional Nursing Programs (TADDPNS);

(ix) various educators in Texas nursing programs;

(x) interested state agencies; and

(xi) other members approved by the Board.

(C) the Nursing Practice Advisory Committee (NPAC) reviews and analyzes issues that affect the practice of nursing. The NPAC is comprised of representatives from the following:

(i) Licensed Vocational Nurses Association of Texas (LVNAT);

(ii) Texas Association of Vocational Nurse Educators (TAVNE);

(iii) Texas League for Vocational Nursing (TLVN);

(iv) Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE);

(v) Texas Nurses Association (TNA);

(vi) Texas School Nurses Organization (TSNO);

(vii) Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS);

(viii) Texas Association for Home Care (TAHC);

(ix) Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS);

(x) Texas Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (TAHSA);

(xi) Texas Hospital Association (THA); and

(xii) other members approved by the Board.

(D) the Eligibility and Disciplinary Advisory Committee (EDAC) gives analysis and advises the Board regarding regulatory matters. The EDAC is comprised of representatives from the following:

(i) Texas Association of Vocational Nurse Educators (TAVNE);

(ii) Licensed Vocational Nurses Association of Texas (LVNAT);

(iii) Texas League of Vocational Nurses (TLVN);

(iv) Texas Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (TOADN);

(v) Texas Organization of Baccalaureate and Graduate Nurse Educators (TOBGNE);

(vi) Texas Nurses Association (TNA);

(vii) Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE);

(viii) Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice; and

(ix) other members approved by the Board.

(2) Members shall be appointed by the Board. The Board may amend committee memberships as needed.

(3) A board member or members appointed by the President of the board or the board may serve as a liaison(s) to a committee and report to the Board the recommendations of the committee for consideration by the Board. The role of a Board member liaison, however, is limited to clarifying the Board's charge and intent to the advisory committee.

(4) Each committee shall select from among its members a chairperson who shall report to the agency or Board as needed.

(5) Each committee's work and usefulness shall be evaluated periodically.

(6) The committees will provide notice of meetings on the Secretary of State's web site to allow the public an opportunity to participate.

(7) The Executive Director shall appoint staff to support the committee.

(8) Committees may identify topics and/or issues for development and communication to the Board for the consideration and/or issuance of a formal charge.

(9) The majority of the members of a Committee must be present at a meeting in order to establish a quorum. Committee members will be expected to attend meetings. The chairperson has the discretion to recommend the dismissal of a member who does not regularly attend. The Board or Executive Director has the authority to approve the dismissal of a member.

(10) Advisory committees chairs may invite individuals as expert resources to participate in committee discussions and deliberations. Invited experts serve as ad hoc members and do not have voting privileges.

(11) The committees will meet as needed. Meeting times will be scheduled by the chairperson of each committee who shall determine whether a majority of the members will be in attendance to establish a quorum.

(12) The decisions of the committee are advisory only.

(13) Committee members may request and/or receive training as necessary to assist them in completing their work.

Source Note: The provisions of this §211.6 adopted to be effective March 31, 2002, 27 TexReg 2236; amended to be effective May 17, 2004, 29 TexReg 4884; amended to be effective March 14, 2007, 32 TexReg 1302; amended to be effective September 26, 2007, 32 TexReg 6519; amended to be effective January 4, 2009, 33 TexReg 10432; amended to be effective July 12, 2010, 35 TexReg 6072; amended to be effective April 19, 2016, 41 TexReg 2749; amended to be effective February 16, 2021, 46 TexReg 1057