IN
Indiana Senate Bill SB0176

Indiana 2025 Regular Session

Indiana Senate Bill SB0176 Compare Versions

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1+*ES0176.1*
2+March 13, 2025
3+ENGROSSED
4+SENATE BILL No. 176
5+_____
6+DIGEST OF SB 176 (Updated March 11, 2025 12:03 pm - DI 147)
7+Citations Affected: IC 25-23.
8+Synopsis: Nursing matters. Adds members to the Indiana state board
9+of nursing and changes the required qualifications for certain members.
10+Amends the requirements that an individual applying for a license to
11+practice as a licensed practical nurse must meet. Provides that an
12+applicant for a state accredited program of practical nursing (program)
13+is not required to have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
14+Requires a student of the program to obtain a high school diploma or
15+its equivalent before completing the program.
16+Effective: July 1, 2025.
17+Yoder, Charbonneau, Johnson T,
18+Becker, Busch, Bohacek, Leising,
19+Crider, Jackson L, Ford J.D.,
20+Randolph Lonnie M, Alexander,
21+Alting, Raatz, Buck, Glick, Hunley,
22+Spencer, Qaddoura, Pol Jr.,
23+Niezgodski, Taylor G, Tomes
24+(HOUSE SPONSORS — BARRETT, BEHNING, SHACKLEFORD)
25+January 8, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Health and Provider
26+Services.
27+January 16, 2025, amended, reported favorably — Do Pass.
28+January 21, 2025, read second time, ordered engrossed. Engrossed.
29+January 23, 2025, read third time, passed. Yeas 49, nays 0.
30+HOUSE ACTION
31+March 3, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health.
32+March 13, 2025, amended, reported — Do Pass.
33+ES 176—LS 6480/DI 148 March 13, 2025
134 First Regular Session of the 124th General Assembly (2025)
235 PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana
336 Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type,
437 additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
538 Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional
639 provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the
740 word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds
841 a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
942 Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts
1043 between statutes enacted by the 2024 Regular Session of the General Assembly.
11-SENATE ENROLLED ACT No. 176
12-AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning professions and
13-occupations.
44+ENGROSSED
45+SENATE BILL No. 176
46+A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
47+professions and occupations.
1448 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
15-SECTION 1. IC 25-23-1-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.131-2020,
49+1 SECTION 1. IC 25-23-1-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.131-2020,
50+2 SECTION 8, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
51+3 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is established the Indiana state board
52+4 of nursing consisting of nine (9) eleven (11) members appointed by the
53+5 governor as follows, each to serve a term under IC 25-1-6.5:
54+6 (1) Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, six (6) eight (8) of the board
55+7 members must be registered nurses who are committed to
56+8 advancing and safeguarding the nursing profession as a whole.
57+9 One (1) Two (2) of the members appointed under this subdivision
58+10 must be an advanced practice registered nurse with at least one
59+11 (1) member who has, or has had, prescriptive authority. One (1)
60+12 of the members appointed under this subdivision must be a
61+13 current faculty member of a prelicensure nursing program
62+14 who has:
63+15 (A) administrative leadership responsibilities; and
64+16 (B) at least one (1) year of experience as a faculty member
65+17 with the responsibilities described in clause (A).
66+ES 176—LS 6480/DI 148 2
67+1 (2) Two (2) of the board's members must be licensed practical
68+2 nurses.
69+3 (3) One (1) member of the board, to represent the general public,
70+4 must be a resident of this state and not be associated with nursing
71+5 in any way other than as a consumer.
72+6 (b) A member of the board may be removed under IC 25-1-6.5-4.
73+7 SECTION 2. IC 25-23-1-5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
74+8 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 5. (a) The board shall
75+9 meet annually. At its first meeting of the calendar year, it shall elect
76+10 from the membership a president, a vice president, and a secretary. It
77+11 shall hold such other meetings during the year as may be necessary for
78+12 the transaction of its business.
79+13 (b) Five (5) Six (6) members of the board constitute a quorum. An
80+14 affirmative vote of a majority of the members appointed to the board
81+15 is required for action of the board.
82+16 SECTION 3. IC 25-23-1-12, AS AMENDED BY P.L.17-2024,
83+17 SECTION 18, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
84+18 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 12. (a) A person who applies to the board for a
85+19 license to practice as a licensed practical nurse must:
86+20 (1) not have been convicted of:
87+21 (A) an act which would constitute a ground for disciplinary
88+22 sanction under IC 25-1-9; or
89+23 (B) a crime that has a direct bearing on the person's ability to
90+24 practice competently;
91+25 (2) have completed:
92+26 (A) the prescribed curriculum and:
93+27 (i) met the graduation requirements of a state accredited
94+28 program of practical nursing; that only accepts students who
95+29 have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and
96+30 (ii) provided proof of having earned a high school
97+31 diploma or its equivalent to the state accredited
98+32 program;
99+33 as determined by the board; or
100+34 (B) the prescribed curriculum and graduation requirements of
101+35 a nursing education program in a foreign country that is
102+36 substantially equivalent to a board approved program as
103+37 determined by the board. The board may by rule adopted under
104+38 IC 4-22-2 require an applicant under this subsection to
105+39 successfully complete an examination approved by the board
106+40 to measure the applicant's qualifications and background in the
107+41 practice of nursing and proficiency in the English language;
108+42 and
109+ES 176—LS 6480/DI 148 3
110+1 (3) be physically and mentally capable of, and professionally
111+2 competent to, safely engage in the practice of practical nursing as
112+3 determined by the board.
113+4 An applicant meets the English proficiency requirement under
114+5 subdivision (2) if the applicant passes an English course as certified in
115+6 the transcript from the board's approved nursing education program or
116+7 submits proof of passing the National Council Licensure Examination
117+8 (NCLEX) that was taken in only the English language.
118+9 (b) The applicant must pass an examination in such subjects as the
119+10 board may determine.
120+11 (c) The board may issue a temporary licensed practical nurse permit
121+12 to practice as a licensed practical nurse applicant to a person who has
122+13 initially applied for license by examination, after the board receives the
123+14 necessary materials to determine compliance with subsection (a). The
124+15 temporary licensed practical nurse permit is valid until the earlier of six
125+16 (6) months after issuance or the licensed practical nurse applicant's
126+17 examination results under subsection (b) are received. If the licensed
127+18 practical nurse applicant does not receive a passing score on the first
128+19 examination under subsection (b), the temporary licensed practical
129+20 nurse permit is no longer valid.
130+21 (d) A licensed practical nurse applicant must:
131+22 (1) practice under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse or
132+23 registered nurse; and
133+24 (2) use the abbreviation "LPNG" after the licensed practical nurse
134+25 graduate's name.
135+26 (e) The board may issue by endorsement a license to practice as a
136+27 licensed practical nurse to an applicant who has been licensed as a
137+28 licensed practical nurse, by examination, under the laws of another
138+29 state if the applicant presents proof satisfactory to the board that, at the
139+30 time of application for an Indiana license by endorsement, the applicant
140+31 possesses credentials and qualifications that are substantially
141+32 equivalent to requirements in Indiana for licensure by examination. The
142+33 board may specify by rule what shall constitute substantial equivalence
143+34 under this subsection.
144+35 (f) The board shall issue by endorsement or examination a license
145+36 to practice as a licensed practical nurse to an applicant who:
146+37 (1) is a graduate of a foreign nursing school;
147+38 (2) has successfully passed the National Council Licensure
148+39 Examination (NCLEX);
149+40 (3) provides:
150+41 (A) documentation that the applicant has:
151+42 (i) taken an examination prepared by the Commission on
152+ES 176—LS 6480/DI 148 4
153+1 Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools International, Inc.
154+2 (CGFNS); and
155+3 (ii) achieved the passing score required on the examination
156+4 at the time the examination was taken;
157+5 (B) a satisfactory Credentials Evaluation Service Professional
158+6 Report issued by CGFNS;
159+7 (C) a VisaScreen Certificate verification letter issued by
160+8 CGFNS; or
161+9 (D) a satisfactory credential verification assessment from an
162+10 organization that is a member of the National Association of
163+11 Credential Evaluation Services or any other organization
164+12 approved by the board; and
165+13 (4) meets the other requirements of this section.
166+14 (g) Each applicant for examination and registration to practice as a
167+15 practical nurse shall pay:
168+16 (1) a fee set by the board; and
169+17 (2) if the applicant is applying for a multistate license (as defined
170+18 in IC 25-42-1-11) under IC 25-42 (Nurse Licensure Compact), a
171+19 fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in addition to the fee under
172+20 subdivision (1);
173+21 a part of which must be used for the rehabilitation of impaired
174+22 registered nurses and impaired licensed practical nurses. Payment of
175+23 the fees shall be made by the applicant before the date of examination.
176+24 (h) The lesser of the following amounts from fees collected under
177+25 subsection (g) shall be deposited in the impaired nurses account of the
178+26 state general fund established by section 34 of this chapter:
179+27 (1) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the license application fee per
180+28 license applied for under this section.
181+29 (2) The cost per license to operate the impaired nurses program,
182+30 as determined by the Indiana professional licensing agency.
183+31 (i) Any person who holds a license to practice as a licensed practical
184+32 nurse in Indiana or under IC 25-42 may use the title "Licensed Practical
185+33 Nurse" and the abbreviation "L.P.N.". No other person shall practice or
186+34 advertise as or assume the title of licensed practical nurse or use the
187+35 abbreviation of "L.P.N." or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to
188+36 indicate that the person using them is a licensed practical nurse.
189+37 SECTION 4. IC 25-23-1-12.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
190+38 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
191+39 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 12.5. An applicant for a state
192+40 accredited program of practical nursing is not required to have a
193+41 high school diploma or its equivalent. However, a student of a state
194+42 accredited program of practical nursing shall obtain a high school
195+ES 176—LS 6480/DI 148 5
196+1 diploma or its equivalent before completing the program.
197+ES 176—LS 6480/DI 148 6
198+COMMITTEE REPORT
199+Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Health and Provider
200+Services, to which was referred Senate Bill No. 176, has had the same
201+under consideration and begs leave to report the same back to the
202+Senate with the recommendation that said bill be AMENDED as
203+follows:
204+Page 1, delete lines 11 through 14, begin a new line double block
205+indented and insert:
206+"(A) the prescribed curriculum and:
207+(i) met the graduation requirements of a state accredited
208+program of practical nursing; that only accepts students who
209+have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and
210+(ii) provided proof of having earned a high school
211+diploma or its equivalent to the state accredited
212+program;
213+as determined by the board; or".
214+ Page 2, line 6, reset in roman "and".
215+Page 2, line 9, delete "board; and" and insert "board.".
216+Page 2, delete line 10.
217+and when so amended that said bill do pass.
218+(Reference is to SB 176 as introduced.)
219+CHARBONNEAU, Chairperson
220+Committee Vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0.
221+_____
222+COMMITTEE REPORT
223+Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Public Health, to which was
224+referred Senate Bill 176, has had the same under consideration and
225+begs leave to report the same back to the House with the
226+recommendation that said bill be amended as follows:
227+Page 1, between the enacting clause and line 1, begin a new
228+paragraph and insert:
229+"SECTION 1. IC 25-23-1-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.131-2020,
16230 SECTION 8, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
17231 JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 2. (a) There is established the Indiana state board
18232 of nursing consisting of nine (9) eleven (11) members appointed by the
19233 governor as follows, each to serve a term under IC 25-1-6.5:
234+ES 176—LS 6480/DI 148 7
20235 (1) Subject to IC 25-1-6.5-3, six (6) eight (8) of the board
21236 members must be registered nurses who are committed to
22237 advancing and safeguarding the nursing profession as a whole.
23238 One (1) Two (2) of the members appointed under this subdivision
24239 must be an advanced practice registered nurse with at least one
25240 (1) member who has, or has had, prescriptive authority. One (1)
26241 of the members appointed under this subdivision must be a
27242 current faculty member of a prelicensure nursing program
28243 who has:
29244 (A) administrative leadership responsibilities; and
30245 (B) at least one (1) year of experience as a faculty member
31246 with the responsibilities described in clause (A).
32247 (2) Two (2) of the board's members must be licensed practical
33248 nurses.
34249 (3) One (1) member of the board, to represent the general public,
35250 must be a resident of this state and not be associated with nursing
36-SEA 176 — Concur 2
37251 in any way other than as a consumer.
38252 (b) A member of the board may be removed under IC 25-1-6.5-4.
39253 SECTION 2. IC 25-23-1-5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS
40254 FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 5. (a) The board shall
41255 meet annually. At its first meeting of the calendar year, it shall elect
42256 from the membership a president, a vice president, and a secretary. It
43257 shall hold such other meetings during the year as may be necessary for
44258 the transaction of its business.
45259 (b) Five (5) Six (6) members of the board constitute a quorum. An
46260 affirmative vote of a majority of the members appointed to the board
47-is required for action of the board.
48-SECTION 3. IC 25-23-1-12, AS AMENDED BY P.L.17-2024,
49-SECTION 18, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
50-JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 12. (a) A person who applies to the board for a
51-license to practice as a licensed practical nurse must:
52-(1) not have been convicted of:
53-(A) an act which would constitute a ground for disciplinary
54-sanction under IC 25-1-9; or
55-(B) a crime that has a direct bearing on the person's ability to
56-practice competently;
57-(2) have completed:
58-(A) the prescribed curriculum and:
59-(i) met the graduation requirements of a state accredited
60-program of practical nursing; that only accepts students who
61-have a high school diploma or its equivalent, and
62-(ii) provided proof of having earned a high school
63-diploma or its equivalent to the state accredited
64-program;
65-as determined by the board; or
66-(B) the prescribed curriculum and graduation requirements of
67-a nursing education program in a foreign country that is
68-substantially equivalent to a board approved program as
69-determined by the board. The board may by rule adopted under
70-IC 4-22-2 require an applicant under this subsection to
71-successfully complete an examination approved by the board
72-to measure the applicant's qualifications and background in the
73-practice of nursing and proficiency in the English language;
74-and
75-(3) be physically and mentally capable of, and professionally
76-competent to, safely engage in the practice of practical nursing as
77-determined by the board.
78-An applicant meets the English proficiency requirement under
79-SEA 176 — Concur 3
80-subdivision (2) if the applicant passes an English course as certified in
81-the transcript from the board's approved nursing education program or
82-submits proof of passing the National Council Licensure Examination
83-(NCLEX) that was taken in only the English language.
84-(b) The applicant must pass an examination in such subjects as the
85-board may determine.
86-(c) The board may issue a temporary licensed practical nurse permit
87-to practice as a licensed practical nurse applicant to a person who has
88-initially applied for license by examination, after the board receives the
89-necessary materials to determine compliance with subsection (a). The
90-temporary licensed practical nurse permit is valid until the earlier of six
91-(6) months after issuance or the licensed practical nurse applicant's
92-examination results under subsection (b) are received. If the licensed
93-practical nurse applicant does not receive a passing score on the first
94-examination under subsection (b), the temporary licensed practical
95-nurse permit is no longer valid.
96-(d) A licensed practical nurse applicant must:
97-(1) practice under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse or
98-registered nurse; and
99-(2) use the abbreviation "LPNG" after the licensed practical nurse
100-graduate's name.
101-(e) The board may issue by endorsement a license to practice as a
102-licensed practical nurse to an applicant who has been licensed as a
103-licensed practical nurse, by examination, under the laws of another
104-state if the applicant presents proof satisfactory to the board that, at the
105-time of application for an Indiana license by endorsement, the applicant
106-possesses credentials and qualifications that are substantially
107-equivalent to requirements in Indiana for licensure by examination. The
108-board may specify by rule what shall constitute substantial equivalence
109-under this subsection.
110-(f) The board shall issue by endorsement or examination a license
111-to practice as a licensed practical nurse to an applicant who:
112-(1) is a graduate of a foreign nursing school;
113-(2) has successfully passed the National Council Licensure
114-Examination (NCLEX);
115-(3) provides:
116-(A) documentation that the applicant has:
117-(i) taken an examination prepared by the Commission on
118-Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools International, Inc.
119-(CGFNS); and
120-(ii) achieved the passing score required on the examination
121-at the time the examination was taken;
122-SEA 176 — Concur 4
123-(B) a satisfactory Credentials Evaluation Service Professional
124-Report issued by CGFNS;
125-(C) a VisaScreen Certificate verification letter issued by
126-CGFNS; or
127-(D) a satisfactory credential verification assessment from an
128-organization that is a member of the National Association of
129-Credential Evaluation Services or any other organization
130-approved by the board; and
131-(4) meets the other requirements of this section.
132-(g) Each applicant for examination and registration to practice as a
133-practical nurse shall pay:
134-(1) a fee set by the board; and
135-(2) if the applicant is applying for a multistate license (as defined
136-in IC 25-42-1-11) under IC 25-42 (Nurse Licensure Compact), a
137-fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) in addition to the fee under
138-subdivision (1);
139-a part of which must be used for the rehabilitation of impaired
140-registered nurses and impaired licensed practical nurses. Payment of
141-the fees shall be made by the applicant before the date of examination.
142-(h) The lesser of the following amounts from fees collected under
143-subsection (g) shall be deposited in the impaired nurses account of the
144-state general fund established by section 34 of this chapter:
145-(1) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the license application fee per
146-license applied for under this section.
147-(2) The cost per license to operate the impaired nurses program,
148-as determined by the Indiana professional licensing agency.
149-(i) Any person who holds a license to practice as a licensed practical
150-nurse in Indiana or under IC 25-42 may use the title "Licensed Practical
151-Nurse" and the abbreviation "L.P.N.". No other person shall practice or
152-advertise as or assume the title of licensed practical nurse or use the
153-abbreviation of "L.P.N." or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to
154-indicate that the person using them is a licensed practical nurse.
155-SECTION 4. IC 25-23-1-12.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
261+is required for action of the board.".
262+Page 4, after line 4, begin a new paragraph and insert:
263+"SECTION 2. IC 25-23-1-12.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA
156264 CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS
157265 [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025]: Sec. 12.5. An applicant for a state
158266 accredited program of practical nursing is not required to have a
159267 high school diploma or its equivalent. However, a student of a state
160268 accredited program of practical nursing shall obtain a high school
161-diploma or its equivalent before completing the program.
162-SEA 176 — Concur President of the Senate
163-President Pro Tempore
164-Speaker of the House of Representatives
165-Governor of the State of Indiana
166-Date: Time:
167-SEA 176 — Concur
269+diploma or its equivalent before completing the program.".
270+Renumber all SECTIONS consecutively.
271+and when so amended that said bill do pass.
272+(Reference is to SB 176 as printed January 17, 2025.)
273+BARRETT
274+ES 176—LS 6480/DI 148 8
275+Committee Vote: yeas 11, nays 0.
276+ES 176—LS 6480/DI 148