STAND. COM. REP. NO.  501

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 79

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 79 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the criteria for recognition as an advanced practice registered nurse who may practice in the State by:

(1)  Requiring the Board of Nursing to recognize the standards in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing consensus model for advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) regulation:  licensure, accreditation, certification, and education; and

(2)  Changing the degree requirement for APRN recognition from a master's degree to an accredited graduate-level education program that prepares the nurse for certain, enumerated clinical roles.

The Hawaii State Center for Nursing; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Pacific Health; Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses; American Organization of Nurse Executives, Hawaii Chapter; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; and several individuals supported this measure.  The Board of Nursing, University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing, University of Hawaii at Hilo School of Nursing, and several individuals supported the intent of this measure.

     Upon consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Eliminating the requirement that the Board of Nursing recognize the standards in the National Council of State Boards of Nursing consensus model for APRN regulation:  licensure, accreditation, certification, and education;

(2)  Clarifying that the completed accredited graduate-level education program for APRN recognition prepares the nurse for one of the four recognized APRN nurse roles, rather than enumerating specific clinical roles; and

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 79, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 79, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair