SB 249/HB 277 – The SAVE Act

Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Yancey); Rep. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Rep. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee)

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston); Rep. Gale Adcock (D-Wake); Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Diane Wheatley (R-Cumberland)

Summary

This bill:

  • Includes nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists within the definition of “advanced practice registered nurse.”
  • Defines the population focus with respect to APRN practice as including one of the following areas of focus: (1) the family or individual across the life span; (2) adult/gerontology; (3) neonatal; (4) pediatrics; (5) women’s health or gender-related issues; (6) psychiatric mental health.
  • Defines the practice of nursing as an APRN to include the following: (1) conducting an advanced assessment; (2) delegating and assigning therapeutic measures to assistive personnel; (3) performing other acts that require education and training consistent with professional standards and commensurate with the APRN’s education, certification, demonstrated competencies, and experience; (4) complying with statutory requirements and rendering quality advanced nursing care; (5) recognizing limits of knowledge and experience; (6) planning for the management of situations beyond the APRN’s expertise.
  • Defines the practice of nursing as a certified nurse midwife to include the following: (1) the management, diagnosis, and treatment of primary sexual and reproductive health care, including primary, preconception, gynecologic/reproductive/sexual health, antepartum, intrapartum, neonatal, and post-pregnancy care; (2) ordering, performing, supervising, and interpreting diagnostic studies; (3) prescribing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies; and (4) consulting with or referring to other providers as warranted by patient needs.
  • Defines the practice of nursing as a certified registered nurse anesthetist to include the following: (1) selecting, ordering, procuring, prescribing, and administering drugs and therapeutic devices to facilitate diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical procedures; (2) ordering, prescribing, performing, supervising, and interpreting diagnostic studies, procedures, and interventions; and (3) consulting with or referring to other health care providers as warranted by patient needs.
  • Defines the practice of nursing as a clinical nurse specialist as including the following: (1) the diagnosis and treatment of health and illness states; (2) disease management; (3) prescribing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies; (3) ordering, performing, supervising, and interpreting diagnostic studies; (4) preventing of illness and risk behaviors; (5) nursing care for individuals, families, and communities; (6) integrating care to improve patient outcomes; and (7) consulting with or referring to other health care providers as warranted by the needs of the patient.
  • Defines the practice of nursing as a nurse practitioner to include the following: (1) health promotion, disease prevention, health education, and counseling; (2) providing health assessment and screening activities; (3) diagnosis, treating, and facilitating patients’ management of their acute and chronic illnesses and diseases; (4) ordering, performing, supervising, and interpreting diagnostic studies; (5) prescribing pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies; and (6) consulting with or referring to other health care providers as warranted by patient needs.
  • Removes the limitation against prescribing a medical treatment or making a medical diagnosis except under physician supervision from the definition of the practice of nursing by a registered nurse.
  • Makes various clarifying, organizational, and technical changes.
  • Amends statute to establish that the practice of nursing by an APRN does not constitute practicing medicine or surgery.
  • Amends statute to establish that a certified registered anesthetist administering anesthetic does not constitute practicing dentistry.

Movement

SB 249

Filed – 3/11/2021

Referred to the following Senate Committees on 3/15/2021:

-Rules and Operations

HB 277

Filed – 3/11/2021

Referred to the following House Committees on 3/15/2021:

-Health

-Insurance

-Rules, Calendar, and Operations

Referred to the following House Committees on 3/16/2021:

-Finance