MN SF1053

Board of Nursing must conduct criminal background checks on all nursing licensure applicants prior to issuing a license, requiring fingerprint submission and consent to state and national criminal history record checks.

Applicants must complete fingerprinting within 90 days of application or forfeit fees; applicants who refuse consent are denied licensure and forfeit all paid fees.

Board shall deny licensure to applicants convicted of 54 specified crimes including murder, sexual assault, child abuse, drug trafficking, theft, and fraud; applicants may request reconsideration after ten years for the most serious crimes (clauses 1-21) or may petition for reconsideration for other listed crimes (clauses 22-54) by demonstrating rehabilitation.

Removes the five-year limitation on conviction-based disciplinary action in nursing practice regulations, making conviction of felonies or gross misdemeanors related to nursing practice grounds for discipline regardless of time elapsed.

Appropriates $200,000 in fiscal year 2013 to the Board of Nursing for implementation; sections take effect July 1, 2013, or when interagency infrastructure is operational.