DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 495 Original 2021 Regular Session Ivey
Abstract: Allows full practice authority for advanced practice registered nurses through the repeal
of collaborative practice agreement requirements.
Proposed law repeals from present law relative to the practice of nursing the defined terms
"collaborative practice" and "collaborative practice agreement" and their corresponding definitions.
Additionally, repeals occurrences of these terms in present law relative to behavioral health.
Present law defines "advanced practice registered nursing", in part, to include the following:
(1)Analyzing multiple sources of data and identifying and performing certain acts of medical
diagnosis in accordance with the collaborative practice agreement.
(2)Making decisions in solving patient care problems and selecting treatment regimens in
collaboration with a licensed physician, dentist, or other healthcare provider as indicated.
(3)Consulting with or referring patients to licensed physicians, dentists, and other healthcare
providers in accordance with a collaborative practice agreement.
Proposed law deletes from the provisions of present law listed above all references to collaborative
practice agreements and collaboration with a licensed physician, dentist, or other healthcare provider.
Also deletes from present law references to nurses performing acts of medical diagnosis. Otherwise,
retains present law.
Proposed law repeals from present law references to a collaborating physician in provisions relative
to advanced practice registered nurses providing certain treatment for substance use disorders and
in other laws pertaining to behavioral health.
Proposed law repeals from present law references to collaborative practice agreements in provisions
relative to advanced practice registered nurses administering anesthetics.
Proposed law repeals from present law a requirement that advanced practice registered nurses
employed by public health clinics perform the following procedures only under a protocol approved
by a licensed physician:
(1)Inserting into the subcutaneous space a medication implant to treat sexually transmitted
diseases or to prevent pregnancy. (2)Distributing a therapeutic regimen of medication, to be consumed by a patient off premises,
to treat sexually transmitted diseases or to prevent pregnancy.
Proposed law requires the La. State Board of Nursing to grant prescribing authority through the
advanced practice registered nurse license. Provides that such prescribing authority shall include the
authority of the advanced practice registered nurse to do all of the following:
(1)Diagnose, prescribe, and institute therapy or referrals of patients to healthcare agencies or
other healthcare providers and to community resources.
(2)Prescribe and administer pharmacological agents, including over-the-counter medications,
legend drugs, and controlled substances, within his scope of practice.
(3)Plan and initiate a therapeutic regimen that includes ordering and prescribing
non-pharmacological interventions including but not limited to durable medical equipment,
medical devices, nutrition, blood and blood products, and diagnostic and supportive services
including but not limited to home health care, hospice, and physical and occupational
therapy.
Proposed law provides that if a provision of present law or present administrative rule requires a
signature, certification, stamp, verification, affidavit, or endorsement by a physician, the requirement
may be fulfilled by an advanced practice registered nurse practicing within his scope of practice in
accordance with the provisions of present law and proposed law.
(Amends R.S. 28:2(28), 51.1(A)(3)(a), (b), and (d), and 53(B)(1) and R.S. 37:913(3)(a)(vii)-(ix), (b),
and (c), 930(E) and (F), and 933; Adds R.S. 37:936 and 937; Repeals R.S. 28:51.1(A)(3)(c) and R.S.
37:913(7)-(9))