The bill amends the Nurse Practice Act, specifically regarding the qualifications for licensed nursing assistants (LNAs). It modifies the language requirements for licensure, allowing the board of nursing to establish rules on the level of English proficiency needed, rather than mandating the ability to read and write in English. This change is reflected in the insertion of a new section that outlines the requirements for LNA applicants, including the submission of a completed application with fees, reporting of any criminal charges or convictions, no acts or omissions that are grounds for disciplinary action (or restitution made if such acts have occurred), meeting continuing competence requirements, and other criteria set by the board.

The bill also restructures the existing sections for licensure of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) by renumbering and reformatting the requirements into a list format. It replaces the term "board" with "executive director" in the context of application submission and fees. Additionally, the bill includes deletions of the previous numbering system (I, II, III, etc.) and replaces them with a lettered list (a, b, c, etc.). The act is approved on July 03, 2024, and will take effect on September 01, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 326-B:16
As Amended by the House: 326-B:16
Version adopted by both bodies: 326-B:16
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 326-B:16