Success! Two APRN Priority Bills on way to Governor's Desk
Frankfort, Ky. March 16, 2021. Updates on Legislative priorities.
SB 154 “Home Health Bill”
Great News! Your Advocacy Team is happy to report that our efforts to ensure that the home health services extended during the pandemic will continue and will soon be signed into law. This bill assures continuity of needed home health services and results from the collaborated action and support by KANPNM, the Kentucky Home Care Association, AARP, and the Kentucky Academy of Physician Assistants.
We are grateful to HB 154’s Primary Sponsor Senator Tom Buford for his leadership on this important initiative! Read about SB 154
HB 439 “Vision Screening Bill”
Another win for team APRN comes as HB 439, which will require vision screenings as part of driver’s license renewals in the future, includes APRNs as providers who may perform the examination. The bill originally had a very narrow scope that catered to vision specialists nearly exclusively.
Thanks to KANPNM President Wendy Fletcher for her hard work to make sure NPs were “seen” as important partners and providers in this safety initiative. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Kim Moser and once signed by Governor, the law will become effective on July 1, 2024. Read about HB 439
CAPA-CS initiative Floor Amendment ruled
out of order -- new path forward identified
Frankfort, Ky. March 16, 2021. KANPNM's amendment language to SB 116 was ruled out of order by the House legal counsel. The ruling originated from a fear that the the amended bill might be vulnerable to challenge by lawsuit once passed.
Work continues with our lobbying team and our many supporters in the House and Senate and have identified another path to get the bill passed this session.
Members are asked to stay in touch with your Representatives and Senators and be watchful for further developments. At the conclusion of the 10-day veto period there are two days left for further legislative action.
Bid to end CAPA-CS lives as friendly Floor Amendment 1 to SB 166
Frankfort, Ky. March 11, 2021. As blatant misinformation from opposition forces threatened the success of SB 78, a plan was devised to advance the initiative's intent as a Floor Amendment to SB 166, which is also sponsored by SB78 Champion, Julie Raque Adams.
Floor Amendment 1 to SB 166 has been filed by another loyal APRN champion, Rep. Jerry Miller. Thank you Rep. Miller for your work to increase Kentucky's access to the high quality health care that APRNs provide.
Contact your Representative now and ask that they support passage of SB 166 with Amendment 1! TAKE ACTION
Senate Bill 78 would remove CAPA-CS after 4 years
Frankfort, Ky. Jan 6, 2021. Senator Julie Raque Adams files SB 78 with the clerk of the Senate. Senator Adams and Senator Paul Hornback are the bill's primary sponsors. SB 78 enjoys bipartisan support and already has several co-sponsors.
The path from bill to law within the 2021 Kentucky Legislative Session will require all APRNs to make contact with their legislators to make certain their officials are well informed on the facts and data that support CAPA-CS removal.
What comes next for SB 78 to become a law?
For SB to complete passage and become law it must..
SB 78 filed in Senate. DONE. SB 78, Jan. 6, 2021.
Be assigned to a Senate Committee. DONE. Assigned to Senate License and Occupations Committee, Feb 5, 2021
Weather Cancels General Assembly actions, Feb 16 -19, 2021
SB 78 to be heard in Senate L&O Committee, Tuesday, Feb 23, 2021
Be heard and voted favorably out of Senate Committee. SB78 is voted out of committee 8-2 on Feb 23, 2021. DONE!
ALERT! 5 Unfriendly, Deeply Harmful to APRNs Floor Amendments are filed by Senator Alvarado.
STALLED -- SB 78 is not called for Senate Floor Vote
NEW TACTIC: Add Floor Amendment 1 to SB 166 which has cleared the Senate and has been received in the House
SB 166 -- Received in the House. DONE
SB 166 Heard and voted favorably out of House Committee. DONE
File Floor Amendment 1 to SB 166. FA 1 to SB 166 is filed by Rep. Jerry Miller as a friendly amendment to Sen. Julie Raque Adams SB 166. DONE
Be heard and voted favorably out of full House.
Be received back in the Senate.
Be read and reported favorably (in its current form) by Senate.
Be sent to Governor for signature.
Get signed by Governor.
At each point along the way, NPs need to be ready to make contact with their legislators by call, email or text to ask that they support the bill. Those who oppose SB 78 will exert all their influence and work to mislead or cast doubt on NP motives and abilities.
KANPNM members, friends and allies should plan on making several calls and emails over the course of the session to illustrate the need for increased access to quality healthcare in Kentucky.
Visit KANPNM's Advocacy Toolbox for advice and tools to help you find your legislator and tips to help get your message delivered successfully.
Get the SB 78 Talking Points -- Eliminate the CAPA-CS
Get the COVID-19 Care SB 78 Talking Points
Follow KANPNM's Legislative Update page for more insights and information
Advocacy Toolbox
Find SB 78 Talking Points and other helpful advocacy materials on the KANPNM website.
Keep up with legislative news on the KANPNM 365 App.
Search "KY aprn" on Google Play and Apple App Store to download the free app.
Important LRC Phone Numbers
Legislative Message Line
1-800-372-7181
Bill Status Line
1-866-840-2835
Virtual Legislative Day Livestream seen by over 750
Legislative Day went high-tech and virtual this year as members joined together for an interactive livestream in the morning, spent time during the day reaching out to their legislators via call, email, text and more and then rallied back up in the afternoon on a Zoom call to report on their interactions.
If you missed the livestream, you can watch the video of the broadcast from the KANPNM Facebook page. Hear remarks from many of our pro-APRN Legislative Champions like Senators Julie Raque Adams and Paul Hornback, Morgan McGarvey, Tom Buford and Representative Russell Webber.
Review the wonderful information shared in the livestream by KANPNM's President Wendy Fletcher, Legislative Chair Elizabeth Partin, Governmental Affairs & Key Contact Chair Cathy Waits as well as insights and tips on how to be an effective advocate from KANPNM lobbyist Dr. Sheila Schuster.
COVID-19 and Access to Legislators
Making contact with your legislator by reaching their personal cells and communicating by email is VITAL. The General Assembly is observing very strict COVID-19 safety protocols. There is no public access to the annex or legislative offices. Access to the buildings is by appointment only, escorted in and out, wait in vehicles until allowed admittance.
Kentucky Lawmakers who Support APRNs
KANPNM salutes the Legislative session 2020 lawmakers who worked to increase access to high quality health care for all Kentuckians! These Pro-APRN legislators know that Kentucky patients will benefit when APRNs are allowed to practice to the full extent of their education and training.
Please make an effort to contact these legislators and thank them for their support. Click here for more info on how to contact them.
