HB 1302 Summary

• Changes terminology throughout Indiana Code from "advanced practice nurse" to "advanced practice registered nurse" for consistency and clarity across health care statutes.

• Requires the Indiana State Board of Nursing to adopt rules establishing educational and certification requirements for advanced practice registered nurses seeking prescriptive authority for legend drugs.

• Mandates that two of the nine board members be advanced practice registered nurses with different specialty areas; if not met by June 30, 2018, the governor must remove two registered nurses and appoint two APRNs.

• Permits advanced practice registered nurses to operate without a collaborative agreement with a physician if they have 5+ years of collaborative practice in the same specialty, received a physician recommendation, and meet other specified conditions; requires 120 hours of continuing education every 3 years for independent practice.

• Directs the Commissioner of Insurance to review and report by November 1, 2018, whether statutory changes are needed to adjust APRN surcharges for the patient's compensation fund based on the shift to independent practice authority.