The bill establishes an impaired provider program under the Kansas state board of nursing, designed to identify, intervene, treat, and monitor nursing licensees who may be impaired due to substance use or mental health issues. It allows for deferred disciplinary action against these impaired licensees and provides a pathway for the reinstatement of revoked licenses. The program is accessible to those who admit to substance use, self-refer, test positive, or are suspected of impairment, requiring participants to undergo random testing and evaluations at their own expense. Successful completion of the program will ensure that no disciplinary action is recorded against their license.

Furthermore, the bill expands the grounds for disciplinary action against nursing licensees, enabling the board to revoke or suspend licenses for offenses such as fraud, felony convictions, and professional incompetency. It modifies the reinstatement process for revoked licenses, allowing applications after three years while shifting the burden of proof to the applicant to demonstrate rehabilitation, without the previous requirement of "clear and convincing evidence." The bill also changes reporting requirements for the board, eliminating annual reports to specific legislative committees and instead requiring a written report on reinstatement applications to be submitted to the Kansas legislative research department. Additionally, it grants the board authority to adopt necessary rules and regulations while repealing outdated sections of the law.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 65-1117, 65-1120, 65-1120a, 65-1121a, 65-1129, 74-1110