HEALTH & SAFETY CODE

CHAPTER 48. TRAINING AND REGULATION OF PROMOTORAS AND COMMUNITY 
HEALTH WORKERS


	§ 48.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                                   
		(1)  "Compensation" includes receiving payment or 
receiving reimbursement for expenses.
		(2)  "Promotora" or "community health worker" means a 
person who, with or without compensation, provides a liaison 
between health care providers and patients through activities that 
may include activities such as assisting in case conferences, 
providing patient education, making referrals to health and social 
services, conducting needs assessments, distributing surveys to 
identify barriers to health care delivery, making home visits, and 
providing bilingual language services.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 857, § 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
1999.  Renumbered from § 46.001 and amended by Acts 2001, 77th 
Leg., ch. 946, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001 and Acts 2001, 77th Leg., 
ch. 1420, § 21.001(72), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.


	§ 48.002.  PROMOTORA AND COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER TRAINING 
PROGRAM.  (a)  The department shall establish and operate a 
program designed to train and educate persons who act as promotoras 
or community health workers.  In establishing the training program, 
the department, to the extent possible, shall consider the report 
and any findings of and implement any applicable recommendations of 
the Promotora Program Development Committee.
	(b)  Participation in a training and education program 
established under this section is voluntary for a promotora or 
community health worker who provides services without receiving any 
compensation and mandatory for a promotora or community health 
worker who provides services for compensation.  The board may adopt 
rules to exempt a promotora or community health worker from 
mandatory training who has served for three or more years or who has 
1,000 or more hours of experience.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 857, § 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
1999.  Renumbered from § 46.002 and amended by Acts 2001, 77th 
Leg., ch. 946, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001 and Acts 2001, 77th Leg., 
ch. 1420, § 21.001(72), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.


	§ 48.003.  CERTIFICATION PROGRAM FOR PROMOTORAS AND 
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.  (a)  The department shall establish and 
operate a certification program for persons who act as promotoras 
or community health workers.  In establishing the program, the 
board shall adopt rules that provide minimum standards and 
guidelines, including participation in the training and education 
program under Section 48.002, for issuance of a certificate to a 
person under this section.  In adopting the minimum standards and 
guidelines, the board shall consider the report and any findings of 
and adopt any applicable recommendations of the Promotora Program 
Development Committee.
	(b)  Receipt of a certificate issued under this section may 
not be a requirement for a person to act as a promotora or community 
health worker without receiving any compensation and is a 
requirement for a person to act as a promotora or community health 
worker for compensation.
	(c)  The Health and Human Services Commission shall require 
health and human services agencies to use certified promotoras to 
the extent possible in health outreach and education programs for 
recipients of medical assistance under Chapter 32, Human Resources 
Code.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 857, § 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 
1999.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 729, § 1, eff. Sept. 
1, 2001.  Renumbered from § 46.003 and amended by Acts 2001, 77th 
Leg., ch. 946, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001;  Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 
1420, § 21.001(72) and 21.002(8), eff. Sept. 1, 2001.