Title: An act relating to the prescriptive authority of advanced registered nurse practitioners.

Brief Description: Repealing RCW 18.79.255.

Sponsors: Senators Keiser, Kastama, Franklin, Pflug and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care:1/14/08, 1/28/08 [DP, DNP, w/oRec].

Passed Senate: 2/14/08, 44-2.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Keiser, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Pflug, Ranking Minority Member; Fairley, Kastama, Kohl-Welles and Marr.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senator Parlette.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senator Carrell.

Staff: Edith Rice (786-7444)

Background: Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) are registered nurses with additional formal specialized training in areas such as pediatrics, midwifery, geriatrics anesthesiology, and psychiatry. ARNPs function more independently than registered nurses and assume primary responsibility and accountability for care of their patients.

Current law permits ARNPs to prescribe legend drugs and Schedule V controlled substances. ARNPs may prescribe Schedule II through IV controlled substances subject to their scope of practice. ARNPs may dispense a maximum of a 72-hour supply of Schedule II-IV controlled substances.

Summary of Bill: The limitation on ARNPs dispensing a maximum of a 72-hour supply of a Schedule II-IV controlled substance is eliminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The current restriction is a barrier to getting proper medical care for uninsured patients or those who must travel a great distance. Sample packets sometimes come in quantities greater than a 72-hour supply.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Tammie Warnke, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners United (ARNP); Aaron C. Huston, ARNP.