Relative to emergency or temporary health care licenses.
Impact
By allowing medical providers and nursing students who hold emergency licenses to continue practicing beyond previous deadlines, SB 277 aims to stabilize healthcare services in the state. Furthermore, the conversion of these emergency licenses to permanent licenses will help increase the number of licensed healthcare practitioners available to serve the community. The legislation is particularly significant as it facilitates smoother transitions from temporary to permanent healthcare roles in a time when healthcare systems face increased demands due to ongoing public health challenges.
Summary
Senate Bill 277-FN introduces measures concerning emergency or temporary healthcare licenses in New Hampshire. In light of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the bill extends the expiration date for emergency licensing protocols that had previously been established. This includes the licensing of out-of-state healthcare providers and the conversion of temporary emergency licenses into permanent licenses as of June 30, 2023. The bill seeks to continue addressing healthcare staffing shortages and ensure a faster response to public health crises by retaining skilled healthcare professionals in the field longer than originally permitted.
Contention
While the bill's intention to enhance the healthcare workforce is acknowledged, concerns exist regarding the qualifications and training of emergency license holders transitioning to permanent status. Opponents worry that the accelerated licensure process may compromise standards and oversight, risking patient safety. Additionally, the financial implications of extending these emergency licenses have led to discussions regarding potential revenue loss for the state as a result of delayed licensing fees and processes, raising queries about the sustainability of such measures in a post-pandemic landscape.
Relative to educational and employment opportunities and protections for military families and their dependents and relative to temporary licenses for emergency and advanced emergency care providers.
Requiring rules regarding criteria for military occupational specialties and relative to the penalty for false reports of suspected abuse and neglect made to the division for children, youth, and families.
Substitute for SB 131 by Committee on Public Health and Welfare - Authorizing the state board of healing arts to issue a sports waiver to practice healing arts professions in this state on a limited basis during certain sporting events, authorizing pharmacy technicians to administer certain vaccines, licensing of professional counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, addiction counselors, behavior analysts, psychologists and master's level psychologists, requiring the behavioral sciences regulatory board to process applications within a certain time and establish an expedited application process, establishing license categories for applicants from social work programs in candidacy for accreditation and for temporary reinstatement; extending the license period of temporary licenses, establishing a community-based license for certain licensed professions.
Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey.
Codifies and extends authorization for certain out-of-State health care practitioners and recent graduates of health care training programs to practice in New Jersey.