Exciting news from Tallahassee! NPs continue to gain visibility and momentum in Florida. During this session, NPs have been serving as the health care provider to legislators for the first time in the state's history, showing up to meet with policy makers andhighlighting how improved access to NP-provided care would help address Florida's health care challenges. The full effort of the nursing community and supporting stakeholders have helped to move NP bills to this point!
Two key bills passed House of Representatives earlier this afternoon and are headed to the Senate for added consideration.
Here's what's important to know at this stage:
Florida House Bill 607 (H.B. 607): As currently amended, H.B. 607 could substantially reduce patient barriers and improve the Florida NP practice environment. H.B. 607 aims to:
Retire the supervisory protocol requirement for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) APRNs who meet specific requirements, including completing 2,000 practice hours under a protocol agreement with a physician.
Recognize eligible APRN signatures on forms related to patient care, which may include death certificates, DNR orders and certification of medically essential utilities service.
Authorize APRNs to perform critical needed services, including involuntary mental health, Baker Act release determinations, and child abuse and neglect screenings.
Explicitly authorize APRNs to admit patients and lead patient care in select facilities.
Require APRNs as part of their licensure to maintain professional liability coverage and complete added CE for licensure renewal.
The bill also contains elements that would update provisions for physician assistant practice requirements, scope and oversight.
Bill Status:Florida House Bill 607 (H.B. 607)passed the floor vote in the House of Representatives earlier todayand is headed to the Florida Senate for further legislative action.
In the current form, the bill addressed several health care issues and includes the same provisions as H.B. 607 for APRN practice.
Bill Status:The bill has passed the House of Representatives and has been referred to Senate Appropriations.
Florida Senate Bill 1676 (S.B. 1676): As currently amended, S.B. 1676 has the potential tomove the state further awayfrom alignment with national models and make it challenging to meet Florida's healthcare needs.
Among other changes, S.B. 1676 as currently drafted would:
Limit the setting and type of care APRNs would be authorized to provide without a mandatory practice agreement with a physician.
Mandate the geographic location for APRN practice only in select primary-care shortage areas as defined by the bill for the first three years of practice without an agreement with a physician.
Further limit the scope of authorized practice elements for APRNs in select facilities.
Provide for additional and unnecessary joint regulatory oversight of APRN practice and licensure by the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Physicians as well as the Department of Health.
Senate Bill Status:
S.B. 1676 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee with several weighty amendments and now awaits further consideration by the full Senate.
The Senate final day for legislative actionsis currently scheduled for March 13, 2020. Under legislative rules, deadlines may be amended to accommodate state requirements for passing budget legislation.
Nurse Practitioners like you have the power to champion proposals that truly move the state forward and improve access to health care for all Floridians! Here's What You Can Do:
Speak Up:AANP Florida members can use theAANP Advocacy Centerto find contact information for your state legislators.
Stay Informed:AANP members can track this and other legislation on theAANP State Policy Tracker, sign up in your membership profile e-mail preferences forweekly updates through the GAUand E-Bulletin newsletters, and watch for member email alerts as these bills advance through the legislative process.
The Florida session is coming to its closing days. AANP's State Government Affairs Department will continue to share updates as these bills progress in the legislature.
Arlene Wright, AANP South Florida State Representative
Stacia Hays, AANP North Florida State Representative
Ashley Shew, AANP State Policy Analyst
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
PO Box 12846 · Austin, TX 78711 Phone: 512-442-4262
