S.B. 2672 Summary

• Amends multiple Hawaii Revised Statutes to recognize advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) as qualified health care providers alongside physicians and other licensed professionals.

• Adds APRNs to definitions of "out-of-state practitioner," "health care provider," and authorizes them to perform emergency examinations, certify deaths and fetal deaths, and participate in pharmacy-related functions.

• Clarifies that APRNs with prescriptive authority can collaborate with pharmacists on drug therapy management, emergency contraception, drug administration, and regimen adjustments.

• Enables improved patient access to health care services in rural and underserved areas by allowing APRNs to practice to the fullest extent of their training and education.

• Takes effect upon approval, with a provision that amendments to emergency examination authority shall not be repealed when section 334-59 is reenacted on July 1, 2020.