The proposed bill would significantly update current statutes related to nursing licensure and health care access in Arizona. It would require the Arizona Board of Nursing to issue provisional licenses to out-of-state nurses within five business days of receiving a complete application, contingent upon meeting specific criteria such as holding a valid license in another state and passing a criminal background check. Additionally, the bill introduces a grant program to support clinical training placements for nurse anesthetist students and delays the repeal of the Collaborative Care Uptake Fund. It also modifies the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) regulations by removing exclusions for speech therapy and cochlear implants for individuals aged 21 and older, while instituting stricter eligibility verification processes.

Moreover, the bill establishes a framework for court-ordered stabilization of impaired persons, detailing the petition process, rights of individuals, and reporting requirements for counties. It mandates that AHCCCS review member eligibility upon receiving information about changes in circumstances and allows for information sharing with other departments. The bill also introduces a Health Care Interoperability Grant Program to support rural hospitals and health care providers, ensuring compliance with HIPAA standards and enhancing care coordination. Overall, these updates aim to improve the efficiency of nursing licensure processes, enhance health care access, and ensure better management of mental health cases.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-501, 36-526, 36-2901.08, 36-2903.18, 36-2903.19, 36-2903.20, 36-2907, 13-4510, 36-402, 12-2801, 36-401, 32-1601, 36-441, 36-445, 36-2402, 36-2917, 36-3401, 36-520, 36-521, 36-529, 36-2081, 36-2083, 36-2082, 36-2084, 36-2085, 36-2087, 36-2086, 36-512, 36-513, 36-2088, 36-2089, 36-2090, 36-2091, 36-2092, 36-778, 36-2901.02, 36-2901.07, 36-2901.01, 36-2934, 36-2901.09, 36-125.04, 36-427
House Engrossed Version: 32-1635.02, 36-501, 36-526, 36-2901.08, 36-2903.18, 36-2903.19, 36-2903.20, 36-2907, 36-2936, 41-1750, 92-544, 13-4510, 36-402, 12-2801, 36-401, 32-1601, 36-441, 36-445, 36-2402, 36-2917, 36-3401, 36-520, 36-521, 36-529, 36-2081, 36-2083, 36-2082, 36-2084, 36-2085, 36-2087, 36-2086, 36-512, 36-513, 36-2088, 36-2089, 36-2090, 36-2091, 36-2092, 36-778, 36-2901.02, 36-2901.07, 36-2901.01, 36-2934, 36-2901.09, 36-125.04, 36-427, 89-97, 36-2901, 36-2931, 36-2908, 36-2201