Legislative Update

Hello members!

The events have been interesting in Tallahassee this week.

The hearing of Senate Bill 1544 (Baker Act) by the Children, Families and Elder Affairs committee was postponed by chair Senator Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood). Although the original bill included ARNPs and PAs, Senator Braynon (D-Broward/Miami Dade) quickly filed an amendment after the bill was postponed to strip nursing out of the original bill. This would result in Psychiatric RNs and Psychiatric ARNPs having less authority than they have presently. Despite a similar bill in the house, state nursing leadership believes that expanded provisions for ARNPs to Baker Act is unattainable this session.

House Bill 7071, the bill introduced by Representative Pigman (R-Sebring) that gives ARNPs full autonomy, was modified and rolled into an "omnibus" HB 7113 which passed out of House Committee yesterday. Modifications to ARNP full independent practice included: CRNAs independence was removed; joint committee membership was modified to remove the Surgeon General and add a pharmacist; the joint committee was tasked with development of an "exclusionary formulary" – basically creating a list of controlled substances that NPs may not prescribe; the ARNP title was retained; and a new category of independent NP (INP) was created for NPs having 2000+ hours post-graduate experience, graduate pharmacology training, and national certification post graduation. HB 7113 also has provisions for INPs to initiate Baker Act and sign death certificates and allows Psychiatric NPs to release Baker Act.

The catch of HB 7113 is that it was tied to the Trauma Center and Tele-health bills. Both of these bills hold great importance to Senate membership. HB 7113 will go to the house floor next, for vote by entire house. If passes, it moves to the Senate. This "train" or "omnibus" strategy is designed to entice members who would generally vote "no" to modify their vote because they want a specific part of the bill. In this case, the Trauma Center and Tele-Health is highly desirable to members of the Senate.

You might enjoy a look at the committee proceedings, as it will assist you to clearly understand the players and passion that surrounds this issue:
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/VideoPlayer.aspx?eventID=2443575804_2014041152&committeeID=2714
This is proving to be a record year of exposure for Florida ARNP practice issues. Please continue spreading the word regarding the need for - and the ability of - nursing to care for the residents of our state to the full extent of our education and training. Standing together we are proving to be a mighty force!

Your CFANPC leadership team