Practice of nursing; modifying and adding grounds for disciplinary action; requiring disciplinary action for commission of certain criminal offenses. Effective date.
Impact
The implications of SB719 on Oklahoma's nursing regulations are significant. By establishing mandatory disciplinary actions based on criminal history, the bill aims to enhance the integrity of nursing practices and ensure patient safety. This move is likely to influence how the Board of Nursing handles existing cases and how potential applicants are evaluated, particularly concerning past criminal activities that could impair their capability to provide safe and effective care. Additionally, the bill aligns with broader public health interests by attempting to weed out individuals who pose a risk to patient safety due to their criminal backgrounds.
Summary
Senate Bill 719 aims to amend Section 567.8 of Title 59 of the Oklahoma Statutes relating to the practice of nursing. The bill modifies and adds grounds for disciplinary action that the Oklahoma Board of Nursing may impose on licensed nurses and Advanced Unlicensed Assistants. It specifically introduces mandatory disciplinary actions for individuals who have committed certain criminal offenses, marking a stricter approach to maintaining professional standards in the nursing field. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2023, should it proceed without amendments or intervention.
Contention
While the bill seeks to uphold nursing standards, it may face criticism regarding the potential for overly punitive measures against healthcare professionals. There are concerns about fairness in the application of disciplinary actions related to offenses that may not directly impact nursing practice qualifications. Moreover, opponents might argue that the legislation could lead to a shortage of qualified nursing professionals if many are barred from practice due to past misdeeds, potentially placing undue strain on the state's healthcare system. As SB719 progresses, these issues could become focal points in legislative discussions.
Carry Over
Practice of nursing; modifying and adding grounds for disciplinary action; requiring disciplinary action for commission of certain criminal offenses. Effective date.
Practice of nursing; modifying and adding grounds for disciplinary action; requiring disciplinary action for commission of certain criminal offenses. Effective date.
Practice of nursing; eliminating supervision requirement for Certified Nurse-Midwife; modifying various provisions of the Oklahoma Pharmacy Act and the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act. Effective date.
State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision; modifying qualifications for membership; modifying certain procedures for disciplinary action; establishing Anesthesiologist Assistants Advisory Committee. Effective date.
Practice of nursing; providing for independent prescriptive authority of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses who meet certain requirements; modifying various provisions of the Oklahoma Pharmacy Act and the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act. Effective date.
Practice of nursing; modifying membership of the Oklahoma Board of Nursing; modifying appointing authorities; removing certain qualification of Executive Director. Effective date.
Health care; prohibiting gender transition procedures for children; authorizing certain civil actions and relief; licensure; adding violations and penalties. Emergency.
Statutes and reports; Administrative Procedures Act; requiring electronic publishing of the Oklahoma Administrative Code and the Oklahoma Register; effective date.
Public finance; creating the Oklahoma Prosperity Act Trust; requiring State Treasurer to develop certain trusts and IRAs established under program. Effective date.
Agriculture Investigative Services Unit; transferring Agriculture Investigative Services Unit to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation; repealer; effective date.
Agriculture Investigative Services Unit; transferring Agriculture Investigative Services Unit to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation; repealer; effective date.
Administrative Procedures Act; modifying publication requirements; clarifying official version of certain publications from the Office of Administrative Rules. Effective date.
Oklahoma Uniform Securities Act; clarifying membership of Oklahoma Securities Commission; modifying qualifications for certain member of Commission. Effective date. Emergency.
Oklahoma Uniform Securities Act; clarifying membership of Oklahoma Securities Commission; modifying qualifications for certain member of Commission. Effective date. Emergency.