APRNS LEAD

As the final days of the Kentucky General Assembly's 2024 Session roll up on the horizon, several key APRN bills continue to make progress along the legislative process.

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Members should be alert to notifications and Calls-to-Action by the Association as the pace of bills coming up for votes increases ahead of the end of session. 

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Stay tuned for more updates and information on the listserv and by text when it is time to advise your legislators as to how to vote on these important policy matters.

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Opportunity to Establish Freestanding Birthing Centers in Kentucky

CLICK HERE to read the Talking Points for "The Mary Carol Akers Birth Centers Act."

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HB 199 – J. Nemes, K. Bratcher, S. Bratcher, B. Chester-Burton, D. Fister, D. Grossberg, J. Hodgson, C. Massaroni, R. Palumbo, M. Proctor, S. Rawlings, S. Stalker, L. Willner

SB 103 – S. Funke Frommeyer, J. Schickel, J. Adams, C. Armstrong, D. Harper Angel, G. Neal, M. Nemes, R. Thomas, L. Tichenor, R. Webb, G. Williams, M. Wilson

BILL ACTION: HB 199 has cleared the House Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations Committee and has had its second reading in the House.  This bill may be up for a House Floor vote soon.

Modernization of the Kentucky Board of Nursing

HB 459 – K. Moser, R. Raymer, S. Bratcher, B. Chester-Burton, S. Dietz, B. McCool, J. Nemes, R. Palumbo, K. Timoney, W. Williams

• Significantly broadens the number of nursing organization who can nominate nurses to fill KBN seats, including KANPNM who will nominate for 2 NP seats on KBN.

• Assures a better distribution of KBN members among nurses in active clinical practice vs. those in educational settings.

• Creates a provisional APRN applicant license to create work opportunities while the APRN is waiting for final licensure.

• Removes the APRN Council, which is duplicative now since SB 94 passage in 2023.

• Gives KBN greater flexibility in hiring additional personnel.

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BILL ACTION: HB 459 was reported unanimously from House Health Services Committee and has passed out of the House, 96-0. It has been assigned to Senate Health Services Committee.

Easing Prior Authorization Constraints on Health Care Providers

HB 317 – K. Moser, R. Duvall, C. Aull, K. Banta, D. Bentley, T. Bojanowski, S. Bratcher, A. Camuel, A. Gentry, D. Grossberg, M. Hart, R. Palumbo, J. Raymond, R. Roberts, T. Smith, S. Stalker, K. Timoney, R. White, W. Williams

• Exemptions would apply to a broad range of healthcare professionals, including APRNs.

• Creates an exemption from Prior Authorization for any healthcare provider who had a 90% approval rate for PA on that particular health care service.

• Eligibility for the exemption would be reviewed every six months.

• Establishes parameters for rescission of the eligibility and appeal rights for the provider.

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BILL ACTION: HB 317 has had its second reading and has been returned to the House Banking & Insurance Committee.

Decriminalizing Errors made by Health Care Providers

HB 159 – P. Flannery, J. Nemes, D. Bentley, K. Bratcher, R. Duvall, D. Elliott, D. Lewis, K. Moser, A. Neighbors, R. Raymer, W. Williams

• Health care provider is defined broadly and includes APRNs.

• Protects the health care provider from criminal liability for any harm caused by an act or omission in providing a health care service.

• The only exceptions are for gross negligence or willful, malicious, intentional misconduct.

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 BILL ACTION: HB 159 was passed out of the House 94-0, was reported favorably from Senate Judiciary committee, received its second reading in the Senate and has been reported to the Rules Committee. Mostly likely up for Senate floor vote soon.

Protecting Health Care Providers from Violence in the Workplace

HB 194 – K. Moser, S. Dietz, C. Aull, D. Bentley, J. Blanton, J. Bray, B. Chester-Burton, C. Fugate, D. Hale, K. King, W. Lawrence, A. Neighbors, R. Palumbo, M. Pollock, P. Pratt, S. Riley, R. Roarx, T. Smith, W. Thomas, K. Timoney, T. Truett, W. Williams

• Defines an attack with a deadly or dangerous weapon or intentionally causing harm as a third-degree felony when committed against a healthcare provider defined in KRS 311.821 which includes APRNs or a person employed or under contract with a hospital.

• Applies if the event occurs on hospital premises or in a hospital-owned outpatient facility.

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BILL ACTION: HB 159 passed out of the House 95-0, was reported favorably from Senate Judiciary committee, received its second reading in the Senate and has been reported to the Consent Orders. Mostly likely up for Senate floor vote soon.

Supporting New Mothers and Babies (Momnibus Bill)

HB 10 – K. Moser, N. Tate, C. Aull, K. Banta, D. Bentley, T. Bojanowski, K. Bratcher, G. Brown Jr., L. Burke, E. Callaway, B. Chester-Burton, J. Decker, S. Dietz, R. Duvall, D. Elliott, K. Fleming, D. Grossberg, M. Hart, K. Herron, M. Imes, K. King, A. Neighbors, R. Palumbo, R. Raymer, J. Raymond, R. Roarx, T. Smith, S. Stalker, C. Stevenson, W. Thomas, K. Timoney, T. Truett, L. Willner, N. Wilson, S. Witten

• A very broad and far-reaching bill to support maternal and child health.

• It includes: A lifeline program for mothers dealing with a mental illness or intellectual disability to offer a hot line during business hours for healthcare providers to receive consultation and referral information; require the HANDS program to provide information on lactation, breastfeeding and infant safe sleeping and that mothers can participate in person or via telehealth; require insurers to establish a special enrollment period during pregnancy; require insurers who cover dependents to also cover maternity care; requires Medicaid and KCHIP to cover maternity care; require Medicaid and all insurance carriers to cover lactation consultation and breastfeeding equipment; require Medicaid to study doula certification programs nationally. 

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BILL ACTION: HB 10 passed out of the House 90-0, has been received in the Senate and assigned to Senate Health Services Committee.

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