HLS 23RS-271 REENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 320
BY REPRESENTATIVE TURNER
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
NURSES: Provides relative to nursing education
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 37:970(3) and to enact R.S. 40:2120.52(C), relative to nursing
3 education; to provide for the qualifications of a licensed practical nurse; to provide
4 for the qualifications of a certified nurse aide; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 37:970(3) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 §970. Qualifications of applicants
8 An applicant for a license to practice as a practical nurse shall:
9 * * *
10 (3) Have successfully completed the course in an accredited school for the
11 training of practical nurses. Satisfy either of the following requirements:
12 (a) Successfully complete an education program for practical nurses at a
13 program approved by the board.
14 (b) Successfully complete an education program for registered nurses at a
15 program approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing.
16 Section 2. R.S. 40:2120.52(C) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
17 §2120.52. State registration of certified nurse aides in nursing facilities
18 * * *
19 C.(1) An individual who successfully completes one semester of a registered
20 or practical nursing program that includes a course on foundational nursing skills
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 23RS-271 REENGROSSED
HB NO. 320
1 may apply to take a nurse aide competency evaluation examination approved by the
2 department.
3 (2) A nurse aide who satisfies the requirements of this Subsection may
4 register with the Louisiana Certified Nurse Aide Registry and shall not be required
5 to complete a nurse aide training program.
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 320 Reengrossed 2023 Regular Session Turner
Abstract: Permits a qualifying nursing student to be licensed or certified in a nursing
profession with lesser educational requirements.
Present law states that a licensed practical nurse (LPN) must graduate from an approved
LPN program.
Proposed law retains present law and permits a student to register as an LPN if he
successfully completes an education program for registered nurses.
Proposed law permits a nursing student who completes a course in the fundamentals of
nursing offered by a practical or registered nursing program shall be required to complete
a certified nursing training or competency evaluation program. Upon passing the evaluation,
the student may register and practice as a certified nurse aide (CNA) in this state.
(Amends R.S. 37:970(3); Adds R.S. 40:2120.52(C))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Health and Welfare to
the original bill:
1. Require an applicant to successfully complete either an education program for
practical nurses or an education program for registered nurses.
2. Make technical changes.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Require a prospective certified nurse aide who has completed a semester of
courses in an education program for registered nurses or licensed practical nurses
to take a certified nurse aide competency evaluation prior to registering with the
Louisiana Certified Nurse Aide Registry.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.