Req. No. 2723 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024) SENATE BILL 1419 By: Rosino AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to Advanced Unlicensed Assistants; defining term; directing the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to establish certain prog ram subject to certain conditions; stating qualification criteria; limiting skilled tasks performed by certain Advanced Unlicensed Assistant s; requiring Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse to conduct certain home visits; directing certain reimbursement of Advanced Unlicensed Assistant services; requiring certain agencies to coordinate for implementation; directing promulgation of rules; requiring application for certain federal approval; amending 59 O.S. 2021, Section 567.3a, which relates to defin itions used in the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act ; broadening certain definition; amending 59 O.S. 2021, Section 567.6a, which relates to Advanced Unlicensed Assistant s; requiring the Oklahoma Board of Nursing to count certain training toward completion of prescribed curricula; providing for codification; providi ng an effective date; and declaring an emergency . BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5013.2 of Title 63, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. As used in this section, “family member” means a child, parent, parent-in-law, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, spouse, or Req. No. 2723 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 any other individual related by blood, and any other individual with a close association that is the equivalent of a family relationship. B. No later than one year after the effective date of this act and subject to receipt of federal approval for the program, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority shall establish a program under which a family member of a Medicaid enrollee may be certified as an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing and, after receiving such certification may, under the direction and supervision of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse , provide Advanced Unlicensed Assistant services to the enrollee through a licensed home care agency under the reimbursement rates established under subsection E of this section, provided that the enrollee qualifies for such services under the state Medicaid program. C. The program established under this section shall require the family member to complete all the training, testing, and other qualification criteria required under state and federal law for certification as an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant in a home setting including, but not limit ed to, qualification criteria established under the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act . D. 1. The skilled tasks performed by an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant in a home setting under this section shall be subject to the scope of practice established by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing for Advanced Unlicensed Assi stants in a home setting. Req. No. 2723 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2. A Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse shall conduct all home visits required by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority at the enrollee’s home. E. Advanced Unlicensed Assistant services provided by a family member of a Medicaid enrollee who becomes cer tified as an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant under the program established under this section shall be reimbursed to a home care agency at a rate established by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. F. 1. The Authority and the Oklahoma Board of Nursing shall coordinate and share information as necessary to implement this section. 2. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board and the Oklahoma Board of Nursing shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement this section. 3. The Administrator of the Authority shall apply for such state plan amendments or waivers as may be necessary to implement this section and secure federal financial participation for state Medicaid expenditures under the federal Medi caid program. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 59 O.S. 2021, Section 567.3a, is amended to read as follows: Section 567.3a. As used in the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act: 1. “Board” means the Oklahoma Board of Nursing; 2. “The practice of nursing ” means the performance of services provided for purposes of nursing diagnosis and treatment of human Req. No. 2723 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 responses to actual or potential health problems consistent with educational preparation. Knowledge and skill are the basis for assessment, analysis, planning, intervention, a nd evaluation used in the promotion and maintenance of health and nursing management of illness, injury, infirmity, restoration or optimal function, or death with dignity. Practice is based on understanding the human condition across the human lifespan and understanding the relationship of the individual within the environment. This practice includes execution of the medical regime including the administration of medications and treatments prescribed by any person authorized by state law to so prescribe; 3. “Registered nursing” means the practice of the full scope of nursing which includes, but is not limited to: a. assessing the health status of individual s, families and groups, b. analyzing assessment data to determine nursing care needs, c. establishing goals to meet identified heal th care needs, d. planning a strategy of care, e. establishing priorities of nursing intervention to implement the strategy of care, f. implementing the strategy of care, Req. No. 2723 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 g. delegating such tasks as may safely be performed by others, consistent with educational preparation and that do not conflict with the p rovisions of the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act, h. providing safe and ef fective nursing care rendered directly or indirectly, i. evaluating responses to interventions, j. teaching the principles and prac tice of nursing, k. managing and supervising the practice of n ursing, l. collaborating with other health professionals in the management of health care, m. performing additional nursing functions in accordance with knowledge and skills acquired beyo nd basic nursing preparation, and n. delegating those nursin g tasks as defined in the rules of the Board that may be performed by an advanced unlicensed assistive person; 4. “Licensed practical nursing ” means the practice of nursing under the supervision or dire ction of a registered nurse, licensed physician or dentist. T his directed scope of nursing practice includes, but is not limited to: a. contributing to the assessment of the health status of individuals and groups, Req. No. 2723 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 b. participating in the development and modification of the plan of care, c. implementing the appropriate aspects of the plan of care, d. delegating such tasks as ma y safely be performed by others, consistent with educational preparatio n and that do not conflict with the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act, e. providing safe and effective nursing care rendered directly or indirectly, f. participating in the evaluation of responses to interventions, g. teaching basic nursing skills and related principles, h. performing additional nursing procedures in accordance with knowledge and skills acquired through education beyond nursing preparation, and i. delegating those nursing ta sks as defined in the rules of the Board that may be performed by an ad vanced unlicensed assistive person; 5. “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse” means a licensed Registered Nurse: a. who has completed an advanced practice registered nursing education program in preparation for one of Req. No. 2723 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 four recognized advanced practice regis tered nurse roles, b. who has passed a national certification examination recognized by the Board that measures t he advanced practice registered nurse role and specialty competencies and who maintains recertification in the role and specialty through a national certification program, c. who has acquired advanced cl inical knowledge and skills in preparation for providing both direct and indirect care to patients; however, the defining factor for all Advanced Practice Registered Nurses is that a significant c omponent of the education and practice focuses on direct care of individuals, d. whose practice builds on the com petencies of Registered Nurses by demonstrating a greater depth and breadth of knowledge, a greater synthesis of data, and increased complexity of skills and interventions, and e. who has obtained a lice nse as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in one of the fol lowing roles: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Certified Nurse Practitioner. Req. No. 2723 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Only those persons who hold a license to practice advanced practice registered nursing in this state shall have the right to use the title “Advanced Practice Registered Nurse ” and to use the abbreviation “APRN”. Only those persons who have obtained a license in the following disciplines shall have the right to fulfill the roles and use the applicable titles: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and the abbreviation “CRNA”, Certified Nurse-Midwife and the abbreviation “CNM”, Clinical Nurse Speciali st and the abbreviation “CNS”, and Certified Nurse Practitioner and the abbreviation “CNP”. It shall be unlawful for any person to assume the role or use the title Advanced Practice Reg istered Nurse or use the abbreviation “APRN” or use the respective specialty role titles and abbreviations or to use any other titl es or abbreviations that would reasonably lead a person to bel ieve the user is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, unless permitted by the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act. Any individual doing so shall be guilty of a misdem eanor, which shall be punishable, upon conviction, by imprisonment in the county jai l for not more than one (1) year or by a fine of not less than One Hundr ed Dollars ($100.00) nor more than One Thous and Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such imprisonment and fine for each offense; 6. “Certified Nurse Practitioner ” is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who performs in an expanded role in the delivery of health care: Req. No. 2723 Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 a. consistent with advanced educational preparation as a Certified Nurse Practitioner in a n area of specialty, b. functions within the Certified Nurse Practitioner scope of practice for the selected area of specialization, and c. is in accord with the standards for Certified Nurse Practitioners as identified by the certifying body and approved by the Board. A Certified Nurse Practitioner shall be eligi ble, in accordance with the scope of practice of the Certified Nurse Practitioner, to obtain recognition as authorized by the Board to prescribe, as defined by the rules promulgated by the Board pu rsuant to this section and subject to the medical direction of a supervising physician. This authorization shall not include dispensing drugs, but shall not preclude, subject to federal regulations, the receipt of, the signing for, or the dispensing of professional samples to patients. The Certified Nurse Practit ioner accepts responsibility, accountability, and obligation to practice in accordance with usual and customary advanced practice registered nursing standards and functions as defined by the scope of practice/role definition statements for the Certified Nurse Practitioner; 7. a. “Clinical Nurse Specialist” is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who holds: Req. No. 2723 Page 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (1) a master’s degree or higher in nursing with clinical specialization preparation to function in an expanded role, (2) specialty certification from a national certifying organization r ecognized by the Board, (3) an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse license from the Board, and (4) any nurse holding a specialty certif ication as a Clinical Nurse Specialist valid on January 1, 1994, granted by a national certifying organization recognized by the Board, shall be deemed to be a Clinical Nurse Specialist under the provisions of the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act. b. In the expanded role, the Clinical Nurse Specialist performs at an advanced practice level which shall include, but not be limited to: (1) practicing as an expert clinician in the provision of direct nursing care to a selected population of patients or clients in any setting, including private practice, (2) managing the care of patients or clients with complex nursing proble ms, Req. No. 2723 Page 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (3) enhancing patient or client care by integrating the competencies of clinical practice, education, consultation, and research, and (4) referring patients or clients to other services. c. A Clinical Nurse Specialist in accordance with the scope of practice of such Clinical Nurse Specialist shall be eligible to obtain recognition as authorized by the Board to prescribe, as defined by the rul es promulgated by the Board p ursuant to this section, and subject to the medical direction of a supervising physician. This authorization shall not include dispensing drugs, but shall not preclude, subject to federal regulations, the receipt of, the signing for, or the dispensing of professional samples to patient s. d. The Clinical Nurse Specialist accepts responsibility, accountability, and obligation to practice in accordance with usual and customary advanced practice nursing standards and functions as d efined by the scope of practice/role definition statements for the Clinical Nurse Specialist; 8. “Nurse-Midwife” is a nurse who has received an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licen se from the Oklahoma Board of Nursing who possesses evidence of certification according to the requirements of the American College of Nurse-Midwives. Req. No. 2723 Page 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 A Certified Nurse-Midwife in accordance wi th the scope of practice of such Certified Nurse -Midwife shall be eligible to obtain recognition as authorized by the Board to prescri be, as defined by the rules promulgated by the Board pursuant to this section and subject to the medical directio n of a supervising physician. This authorization shall not include the dispensing of drugs, but shall not preclude, subject to federal regulations, the receipt of, the signing for, or the dispensing of professional samples to patients. The Certified Nurse-Midwife accepts responsibility, accountability, and obligation to practice in accordance with usual and customary advanced practice registered nursing standards and functions as defined by the scope of practice/role definition statements for the Certified Nurse-Midwife; 9. “Nurse-midwifery practice” means providing managemen t of care of normal newborns and women, antepartally, intrapartally, postpartally and gynecologically, occurring within a health ca re system which provides for medical consultation, medical man agement or referral, and is in accord with the standards for nurse -midwifery practice as defined by the American College of Nurse -Midwives; 10. a. “Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist ” is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse who: (1) is certified by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists as a Certified Registered Nurse Req. No. 2723 Page 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Anesthetist within one (1) year following completion of an approved certified registe red nurse anesthetist education program, and continues to maintain such recertification by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, and (2) administers anesthesia in collaboration with a medical doctor, an oste opathic physician, a podiatric physician or a dentist licens ed in this state and under conditions in which timely onsite consultation by such doctor, osteopath, podiatric physician or dentist is available. b. A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, in collaboration with a medical doctor, osteopathic physician, podiatric p hysician or dentist licensed in this state, and under conditions in which timely, on - site consultation by such medical doctor, osteopa thic physician, podiatric phy sician or dentist is available, shall be authorized, pursuant to rules adopted by the Oklahoma Board of Nursing, to order, select, obtain and administer leg end drugs, Schedules II through V controlled substances, devices, and medical gases only when engaged in the preanesthetic preparation and evaluation; anesthesia induction, Req. No. 2723 Page 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 maintenance and emer gence; and postanesthesia care. A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist may order, select, obtain and administer drugs only during t he perioperative or periobste trical period. c. A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who applies for authorization to order, select, obtain and administer drugs shall: (1) be currently recognized as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in this state, (2) provide evidence of completion, within the two - year period immediately preceding the date of application, of a minim um of fifteen (15) units of continuing education in advanced pharmacology related to the administration of anesthesia as recognized by the National Board of Certif ication and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, and (3) complete and submit a no tarized application, on a form prescribed by the Board, accompanied by t he application fee established pursuant to this section. d. The authority to order, select, obtain and administer drugs shall be terminated if a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist has: Req. No. 2723 Page 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (1) ordered, selected, obtained or administered drugs outside of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist scope of practice or ordered, selected, obtained or adminis tered drugs for other than therapeutic purposes, or (2) violated any provision of st ate laws or rules or federal laws or regulations pertaining to the practice of nursing or the authority to order, select, obtain and administer drugs. e. The Oklahoma Board of Nursing shall notify the Bo ard of Pharmacy after termination of or a change in the authority to order, select, obtain and administer drugs for a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. f. The Board shall provide by rule for biennial application renewal and reauthorization of authority to order, select, obtain and administer drugs for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists. At the time of application renewal, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist shall submit documentation of a minimum of eight (8) units of continuing education, completed during the previous two (2) years, in advanced pharmacology relating to the administration of anesthesia, as recognized by the Council on Req. No. 2723 Page 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists or the Cou ncil on Certification of Nurs e Anesthetists. g. This paragraph shall not prohibit the administration of local or topical anesthetics as now permitted by law. Provided further, nothing in this paragraph shall limit the authority of the Board of Dentistry to establish the qualifications for dentists who direct the administration of anesthesia. h. As used in this paragraph, “collaboration” means an agreement between a medical doctor, osteopathic physician, podiatric physician or dentist performing the procedure or directly involved with the procedure and the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist working jointly toward a common goal providing services for the same patient. This collaborati on involves the joint formulation, discussion and agreement of the anesthesia plan by both parties, and the collaborating medical doctor, osteopathic physician, podiatric physician or dentist p erforming the procedure or directly involved with the procedure and that collaborating physician shall remain available for timely onsite consultation during the d elivery of anesthesia for diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of medical conditions; Req. No. 2723 Page 17 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 11. “Supervising physician” means an individual holding a current license to practice as a physician from the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision or the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, who supervises a Certified Nurse Practitioner, a Clinica l Nurse Specialist, or a Certified Nurse -Midwife, and who is not in training as an intern, resident, or fellow. To be eligible to supervise such Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, such physician shall remain in compliance with the rules promulga ted by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision or the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners; 12. “Supervision of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with prescriptive authority ” means overseeing and accepting responsibility for the ordering and trans mission by a Certified Nurse Practitioner, a Clinical Nurse Specialist, or a Certified Nurse-Midwife of written, telephonic, electroni c or oral prescriptions for drugs and other medical supplies, subject to a defined formulary; and 13. “Advanced Unlicensed Assistant” means any person who has successfully completed a certified traini ng program approved by the Board that trains the Advanced Unlicensed Assistant to perform specified technical skill s identified by the Board in acute care settings or home settings under the direction and supervision of the Registered Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse. Req. No. 2723 Page 18 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 59 O.S. 2021, Section 567.6a, is amended to read as follows: Section 567.6a. A. All applicants for a certificate to practice as an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant shall be subject to Section 567.8 of this title. B. An applicant for a certificate to practice as an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant shall submit t o the Oklahoma Board of Nursing certified evidence that the ap plicant: 1. Has successfully completed the prescribed curricula in a state-approved education program for Advanced Unlicensed Assista nts and holds or is entitled to hold a diploma or certificate theref rom, or equivalent courses in a formal program of inst ruction; 2. Has never been convicted of a felony crime that substantially relates to the occupation of nursing and poses a reasonable threat to public safety; 3. Has submitted a criminal histo ry records search that is compliant with Section 567.18 of thi s title; 4. Is a minimum of eighteen (18) years of age; and 5. Has met such other reasonable preliminary qualification requirements as the Board may prescribe. C. The applicant for a certificate to p ractice as an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant shall be r equired to pass an examination in such subjects as the Board may require. Upon the applicant successfully passing such examination, the Board may issue to the Req. No. 2723 Page 19 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 applicant a certificate to practic e as an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant. An applicant who fails such examination shall be subject to reexamination according to the rules of the Board. The passing criteria shall be established by Board rules. D. Any person who holds a certificate to practice as an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant in this state shall h ave the right to use both the title “Advanced Unlicensed Assistant ” and the abbreviation “A.U.A.”. No other person shall assume such title or use such abbreviation or any other words, letters, signs, or figures to indicate that the person using the same i s an Advanced Unlicensed Assistant. Any individual doing so shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, which shall be punishable, upon convict ion, by imprisonment in the c ounty jail for not more than one (1) year or by a fine of not less than One Hundred Dollars ( $100.00) nor more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or by both such impris onment and fine for each offense. E. As part of the prescribed curricula in a state -approved education program as described in subsection B of this section, the Board shall allow a portion, as determined by the Board, of the prescribed curricula for applicants seeking certification to provide Advanced Unlicensed Assistant services in home settings to be completed through training pro vided by home care agencies or other appropriate entities approved by the Board. F. As used in this section: Req. No. 2723 Page 20 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1. “Substantially relates” means the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted has a direct bearing on the fitness or ability to perform one or more of the duties or responsibilities necessarily related to the occupation; and 2. “Poses a reasonable threat ” means the nature of criminal conduct for which the person was convicted invo lved an act or threat of harm against another and has a bearing on the fitness or ability to serve the public or work with others in the occupation. SECTION 4. This act shall become effe ctive July 1, 2024. SECTION 5. It being immediately necessary for t he preservation of the public peace, health or safety, an emer gency is hereby declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force from and after its passage and ap proval. 59-2-2723 DC 12/15/2023 3:50:51 PM