Brief Description: Modifying the composition of the nursing care quality assurance commission.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Kenney, Morrell, Campbell, Cody, Santos, Skinner, Green, Bailey, Schual-Berke and Chase).

House Committee on Health Care
Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Background:

Responsibility for the regulation of the 57 health care professions is divided between the Secretary of Health (Secretary), 12 health profession boards, and four health profession commissions. Regulatory responsibilities may include: establishing credentialing standards; approving education and training programs; investigating complaints of unprofessional conduct; conducting disciplinary proceedings and issuing findings based on those proceedings; and ordering sanctions for determinations of unprofessional conduct.

The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) is responsible for the regulation of advanced registered nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, and registered nursing assistants. This constitutes approximately 136,000 credentialed health care professionals. The Commission has 11 members consisting of advanced registered nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, members of the public, and a midwife. In comparison, the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission has 14 members, the Dental Quality Assurance Commission has 14 members, and the Medical Quality Assurance Commission has 19 members.

Summary:

The membership of the Commission is increased from 11 to 15 members.

The number of members on the Commission who must be registered nurses is increased from three to seven. Of the members who are registered nurses: at least one must be on the faculty at a four-year university nursing program; at least one must be on the faculty at a two-year college nursing program; at least two must be staff nurses providing direct patient care; and at least one must be a nurse manager or nurse executive. Experience requirements for all members of the Commission who are nurses are reduced from five years to three.

The number of public members on the Commission is increased from two to three. The nonvoting midwife member of the Commission is eliminated.

When appointing members of the Commission, the Governor must consider the recommendations of appropriate professional associations. When appointing pro tem members, the Secretary must make reasonable efforts to appoint one practicing registered nurse who graduated from a nursing program within three years of appointment.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   94   2
Senate   46   0

Effective: July 24, 2005