EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MAT TER ADDED TO EXISTIN G LAW.
[Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
amendment.
*hb0602*
HOUSE BILL 602
J2 5lr1722
CF SB 407
By: Delegates Hutchinson and Adams
Introduced and read first time: January 23, 2025
Assigned to: Health and Government Operations
Committee Report: Favorable
House action: Adopted
Read second time: February 27, 2025
CHAPTER ______
AN ACT concerning 1
State Board of Nursing – Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure and Specialty 2
Certification – Reciprocity Discussions 3
(Maryland Border States Advanced Practice Nursing Act) 4
FOR the purpose of requiring the State Board of Nursing to hold discussions with certain 5
jurisdictions to pursue reciprocity agreements for advanced practice nursing 6
licensure and specialty certification; and generally relating to the State Board of 7
Nursing. 8
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, 9
That: 10
(a) The State Board of Nursing shall hold discussions with the state nursing 11
licensing boards for Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of 12
Columbia to pursue reciprocity agreements for advanced practice nursing licensure and 13
specialty certification. 14
(b) The Board shall prioritize collaboration with each specified jurisdiction to 15
facilitate the establishment of mutual and reciprocal licensure recognition arrangements 16
in order to: 17
(1) increase access to qualified advanced practice registered nurses; 18
(2) enhance licensure portability; and 19
2 HOUSE BILL 602
(3) provide ease of telehealth access in the State and surrounding 1
jurisdictions. 2
(c) On or before November 1, 2025, and each November 1 thereafter for the next 3
4 years, the Board shall submit a report regarding the discussions required under 4
subsection (a) of this section to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and 5
Government Operations Committee, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government 6
Article, that includes: 7
(1) the status of reciprocity discussions with each specified jurisdiction; 8
(2) any agreements reached and the terms, if any; 9
(3) any challenges encountered during negotiations; and 10
(4) recommendations for legislative or regulatory changes necessary to 11
facilitate reciprocity of nursing licenses. 12
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect July 13
1, 2025. 14
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.