HB 5400 Summary

• Authorizes advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to prescribe nonscheduled drugs and controlled substances in schedules 2-5 as delegated acts of physicians, with both names and DEA numbers required on prescriptions.

• Allows APRNs to order, receive, and dispense complimentary starter dose drugs independently (noncontrolled) or as physician delegated acts (controlled substances).

• Permits APRNs to make house calls and conduct rounds in various health care settings without restrictions on time or frequency of visits by physicians or APRNs.

• Establishes essential health provider repayment program offering up to $40,000 annually and $200,000 lifetime maximum to designated health professionals (physicians, nurses, dentists, physician assistants) who commit to serving health resource shortage areas.

• Expands scope of practice for speech-language pathologists to accept referrals from APRNs for assessment and treatment of swallowing and medically related communication disorders.