Legislative Summary & Updates!

Posted over 10 years ago by Joseph (Joey) Knoll

Hello group!

There is a lot going on up in Talahassee! Here is a summary of a few key bills currenty recieving action that will affect Nurse Practitioners in the state of Florida!

HB547 – Independent Practice:

This bill if passed would re-label ARNPs as APRNs (in consistency with the IOM and consensus model). If passed as written, this bill will modify/update 104 State statues that limit practice by nurse practitioners in the state! The bill designates qualified nurse practitioners as "independent practitioners" and removes the requirement for collaborative practice agreements. These nurse practitioners would be licensed as Independent Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (IAPRN). IAPRNS would also be qualified to collaborate with non IAPRNs (APRNS) to meet their collaboration requirement. An APRN could apply for IAPRN after 3 years of clinical practice, and a few other requirements have been met. It also includes the allowance for DEA licensure and prescription of controlled substances. This is by far the best bill as it relates to Nurse Practitioners in Florida. Because it is specific to ARNP practice it does not include Physician Assistants (PAs), which has limited its support by a few organizations.

Progression so far:

Filed on 2/2/15 by Senator Pigman (Health Quality Committee Chair) Has been referred to 3 sub-committees by the house (Health Innovation, Health Care Appropriations and Health and Human Services).

Introduced as HJ45 First read was on 3/3/15

Currently: On to Health Innovation Subcommittee tomorrow at 9:00am! (Expect some action soon after)

HB281 – Prescription Medications:

This bill if passed would allow for ARNPs, and PAs to apply for and possess a DEA license to prescribe controlled substances. Similar to SB532 it requires permission and authority be granted by protocol with a supervising physician.

Progression so far:

Filed on 2/2/15 by Senator Pigman (Health Quality Committee Chair) Has been referred to 3 sub-committees by the house (Health Innovation, Health Care Appropriations and Health and Human Services).

First read was on 3/3/15

Currently: Planned for committee at 9:00am tomorrow!

SB 532 – Ordering of medications:

Introduced by Senator Grimsley (R) on 1/27/15.SB 532 has had the most momentum so far this session!This bill if passed would allow for ARNPs, and PAs to apply for and possess a DEA license to prescribe controlled substances. It may just be a stepping-stone towards evolving the practice authority in the state, but definitely doesn't represent a good resting point. This is in part because of the constant verbiage about requiring supervision. Similar to HB281 it requires permission and authority be granted by protocol with a supervising physician.

Progression so far:

Filed on 1/27/15 Has been referred to 3 sub-committees by the house (Health Policy appropriations and Health and Human Services).

Introduced as SJ67 on 3/3/15 after 1 month in committee (no votes/analysis yet)

Currently: In Committee – Health Policy

SB614 – Controlled substances:

This bill if passed would allow for ARNPs, and PAs to apply for and possess a DEA license to prescribe controlled substances. This bill has some great language that removes a lot of outdated verbiage from SS464. As it currently reads Nurse practitioners are allowed to "alter drug therapies"; this bill rewords that line to read: "to prescribe, dispense, administer, or order drugs". This bill also allows nurse practitioners to specify brand drugs be dispensed. As the bill is currently worded it does not have any language that specifically requires the nurse practitioner to be "supervised" for any of these tasks. (Unlike the other two Controlled Substance bills; SB532, HB281) The compromise with this bill as of the committee meeting on 3/16/16 is that Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners will not be allowed to prescribe controlled substances in any Pain Management Clinic.

Progression so far:

Filed on 2/2/15 by Senator Pigman (Health Quality Committee Chair) Has been referred to 3 sub-committees by the Senate (Health policies, Regulated industries and Rules).

First read was on 3/3/15

Introduced as SJ73

Votes History: HP 4Y-3N

Currently: Passed Committee (modified) on 3/17/15!

HB335 – Psychiatric nurses

This bill was initially met with some controversy, but after a few revisions it is in better favor. This will include Certified Psychiatric nurse practitioners to perform any of the same services provided by a psychologist or psychiatrist. Most importantly it will allow for Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners to qualify/order/perform involuntary examinations (Baker Act). It originally required a protocol with a physician, but the Health Quality committee struck that language from the bill. Today however, the Health and Human Services committee revised the bill to again include a required protocol with a psychiatrist. It is however noteworthy (and unclear); exactly how this bill will impact registered nurses who currently work in the psychiatric setting. It is also unclear how it may impact Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Progression so far:

Filed on 1/19/15 by Senator Plasencia (R) This bill has spent much time in committee (Health quality & Health and Human Services) and has been revised and adopted without objections.

Vote history: HQ 18Y -0N, HHS 12Y-1N

Currently: This bill has passed all committees and has been added to the second reading callender!

***SOME GREAT LINKS!***

https://www.floridanurse.org/legislative/ http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees

HB547 Tracking link:

https://trackbill.com/bill/FL/2015/HB547/advanced-practice-registered-nurses

HB547 filed version:

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h0547__.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=0547&Session=2015

HB547 House Of Representatives Staff Analysis:

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=h0547.HIS.DOCX&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=0547&Session=2015

In your service,

Joseph Knoll, MSN, ARNP, A-GNP-C