PEER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The board by rule shall develop guidelines to: (1) outline the roles and responsibilities of the board and a peer assistance program established or approved by the board under Chapter 467, Health and Safety Code; (2) outline the process for a peer assistance program to refer to the board complaints alleging a violation of the practice of nursing; (3) establish requirements for successfully completing a peer assistance program and for notification of the board of the successful completion by a nurse the board has ordered to attend or referred to the program; (4) establish a clear procedure based on meaningful performance goals for evaluating the success of a peer assistance program established or approved by the board under Chapter 467, Health and Safety Code; (5) establish individualized requirements for participants in a peer assistance program, including the duration of participation in a peer assistance program for substance use, based on the individual's diagnosis and needs; and (6) ensure that participation requirements and treatment plans for peer assistance program participants who are referred to peer assistance for similar reasons are administered consistently.