Legislation

Rules

The §§146.1-146.8 (pdf) rules regarding the training and certification of promotores(as) or community health workers (CHWs) provide the guidelines for operating the training and certification program. These rules were implemented on September 1, 2019.

Bills and Statutes 

House Bill 1864 - Enacted by the 76th Texas Legislature in May 1999, directed the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to "establish a temporary committee that will study certain issues related to the development of outreach and education programs for promotoras or community health workers and that will advise the Texas Department of Health, the governor, and the legislature regarding its findings."

Senate Bill 751 - Calls for the Health and Human Services Commission to require health and human services agencies to use certified promotoras, to the extent possible, in performing health outreach and education programs for recipients of medical assistance under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code.

Senate Bill 1051 - Enacted by the 77th Texas Legislature in May 2001, directed the Texas Department of Health (TDH) to develop and implement a promotor(a) or community health worker (CHW) training and certification program. This program will assure promotores(as) or CHWs meet minimum standards and have adequate guidelines to carry out their duties. The program will be voluntary for promotores(as) who do not receive compensation for their service and mandatory for promotores(as) who are financially compensated for the services they provide. TDH shall consider the reports, findings, and recommendations of the Promotora Program Development Committee in establishing the certification program.

House Bill 2610 - Enacted by the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, amends Chapter 48, effective September 1, 2011. The bill includes a DSHS study, in coordination with HHSC, and recommendations related to maximizing employment of and access to promotores and community health workers to provide publicly and privately funded health care services; and identifying methods of funding and reimbursement, including an outline of costs to the state. Read the Texas Community Health Worker Study Report (pdf) as required by HB 2610.

Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 48 - Provides authority to the Texas Department of Health to establish and operate a certification program for community health workers.