The proposed bill aims to establish the Nebraska Health Professions Commission, which will replace the existing technical committees responsible for reviewing applications related to health professions. Key amendments include redefining the term "committee" to "commission" and outlining the commission's powers and duties, such as conducting directed reviews, evaluating proposals for credentialing new health professions, and assessing changes in scope of practice. The commission will be co-chaired by representatives from a college of public health and a research institute, and it will include members from the Department of Health and Human Services and the State Board of Health, among others. The bill emphasizes the importance of public hearings and stakeholder engagement in the review process.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the commission will submit annual reports detailing its findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including data on workforce trends and public health impacts. It also clarifies that the commission will not be involved in the implementation of regulatory changes, which will remain the responsibility of the appropriate state licensing authority. The bill proposes an annual appropriation of $300,000 to support the commission's activities, including data collection and analysis. Overall, the legislation seeks to streamline the review process for health professions while ensuring transparency and public involvement.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 71-6207, 71-6207.02, 71-6219.01, 71-6223.02, 71-6224, 71-6225, 71-6226, 71-6227