Brief ⁽¹⁾

HB 2313, as amended, concerns the Board of Nursing. The bill:

• Clarifies the requirements which must be met to be a licensed registered nurse, a licensed practical nurse, and a licensed mental health technician, including: graduation from an approved training program, passing a written examination (reference to a supplemental oral or practical examination are deleted), and having no disqualifying factors in the applicant's record (no grounds for disciplinary action as set out in the law);
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• Requires a person previously licensed to practice as a mental health technician, but who has not practiced for a period of five years, to complete a refresher course as defined by rules and regulations of the Board prior to re-licensure.
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• Changes all references to "accreditation" by the Board to "approval."
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• Allows the Board to approve schools of nursing and programs for advanced registered nurse practitioners for a period not to exceed ten years (current law is five years), and to resurvey approved schools and programs on a periodic basis as determined by rules and regulations of the Board.
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• Permits the Board to accept national accreditation of schools of nursing and advanced registered nurse practitioner programs as defined in rules and regulations of the Board, for purposes of Board approval; to approve such schools and programs for a period not to exceed ten years (current law is five years); and to resurvey approved accredited schools and programs on a periodic basis as determined by rules and regulations of the Board.
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• Adds new language making it clear that licensed practical nurses who were authorized to perform an expanded scope of intravenous fluid therapy because of successful completion of a course and examination not given by an approved provider prior to the effective date of HB 2313 continue to be qualified for such expanded roles.
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• Makes technical and clarifying changes in statutes related to students enrolled in courses of study in the administration of anesthesia or analgesic and to the regulatory activities of the Board.

The Senate Committee amendments delete all new authority for the Board of Nursing to require approval of the Board and completion of a study plan prior to taking the examination required for initial licensure as a nurse or mental health technician solely because the applicant for the examination did not take the examination within 24 months of completing the approved education required to be licensed. The Board does not have such authority under existing law. The other Senate Committee amendment is technical since the Board regulates only those courses in anesthesia offered in Kansas.

Background

HB 2313 was requested by the Board of Nursing whose representative explained that the bill clarifies the examination requirements for applicants for licensure in different professions regulated by the Board, more appropriately describes the Board's action to approve schools and programs as opposed to accrediting them, and allows the Board to accept nationally accredited programs, thereby reducing the duplication process for schools and programs that must be approved by the state and that also seek voluntary accreditation by peer organizations.

The bill is supported by the Kansas State Nurses Association.

The fiscal note prepared by the Division of the Budget indicates passage of the bill could have the potential for saving administrative operations to both schools and the Board with the increase in years between the Board's approval of schools. The schools would continue to submit an annual fee to maintain their approval status.

1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext.cgi