OK
Oklahoma Senate Bill SB719

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma Senate Bill SB719

Introduced
2/6/23  

Caption

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.

Companion Bills

OK SB719

Carry Over Practice of nursing; modifying and adding grounds for disciplinary action; requiring disciplinary action for commission of certain criminal offenses. Effective date.

Previously Filed As

OK SB719

Practice of nursing; modifying and adding grounds for disciplinary action; requiring disciplinary action for commission of certain criminal offenses. Effective date.

OK SB459

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.

OK SB597

State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision; modifying qualifications for membership; modifying certain procedures for disciplinary action; establishing Anesthesiologist Assistants Advisory Committee. Effective date.

OK SB458

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.

OK SB599

Vital records; lengthening time period for certain requirements related to death certificates; providing for disciplinary penalties. Effective date.

OK SB755

Practice of nursing; modifying membership of the Oklahoma Board of Nursing; modifying appointing authorities; removing certain qualification of Executive Director. Effective date.

OK SB613

Health care; prohibiting gender transition procedures for children; authorizing certain civil actions and relief; licensure; adding violations and penalties. Emergency.

OK SB754

Practice of dentistry; modifying various provisions of the State Dental Act. Effective date. Emergency.

OK SB220

Practice of nursing; removing certain limitation on appointees to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing. Effective date.

OK HB2752

Transportation; modifying definitions; modifying actions for pedestrians when presented certain instructions; effective date.

Similar Bills

OK HB1297

Statutes and reports; Administrative Procedures Act; requiring electronic publishing of the Oklahoma Administrative Code and the Oklahoma Register; effective date.

OK SB527

Public finance; creating the Oklahoma Prosperity Act Trust; requiring State Treasurer to develop certain trusts and IRAs established under program. Effective date.

OK HB2823

Sunset; Oversight Committee for State Employee Charitable Contributions; re-creating Committee; modifying termination date; emergency.

OK HB2600

Agriculture Investigative Services Unit; transferring Agriculture Investigative Services Unit to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation; repealer; effective date.

OK HB2600

Agriculture Investigative Services Unit; transferring Agriculture Investigative Services Unit to Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation; repealer; effective date.

OK SB1519

Administrative Procedures Act; modifying publication requirements; clarifying official version of certain publications from the Office of Administrative Rules. Effective date.

OK SB949

Oklahoma Film and Music Office; transferring office to the Department of Commerce. Effective date. Emergency.

OK SB1091

Oklahoma Uniform Securities Act; clarifying membership of Oklahoma Securities Commission; modifying qualifications for certain member of Commission. Effective date. Emergency.