House Bill No. by Representative Wilford Carter amends R.S. 37:921 to enhance the disciplinary proceedings and reinstatement processes for nurses licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing. The bill allows the board to deny, revoke, suspend, or restrict nursing licenses based on various grounds, including criminal convictions, incompetence, and substance abuse issues. Notably, it introduces provisions for the reinstatement of licenses suspended due to substance use disorders, allowing nurses to submit an independent medical evaluation from qualified professionals in addiction medicine.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the board recognize medication-assisted treatment as a valid, evidence-based approach for opioid use disorder. It explicitly prohibits the board from denying reinstatement solely based on a nurse's participation in such treatment and eliminates the requirement for a board-contracted evaluation if a qualified independent evaluation is provided. These changes aim to support nurses in their recovery while ensuring public safety and maintaining professional standards.

Statutes affected:
HB1114 Original: