Senate Bill 2023 Summary

• Changes the title of Mississippi's nursing law from "Nursing Practice Law" to "Nurse Practice Law" and clarifies the Board of Nursing's authority to regulate nursing practice as a consumer protection agency.

• Revises the composition of the Mississippi Board of Nursing to include seven (7) registered nurses (including one advanced practice registered nurse), four (4) licensed practical nurses, one (1) physician, and one (1) consumer representative.

• Modifies advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) requirements by making physician/dentist collaboration optional rather than mandatory, establishing four recognized APRN roles (CNP, CRNA, CNM, CNS), and clarifying scope of practice and prescriptive authority.

• Updates licensure procedures for registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified clinical hemodialysis technicians to include fingerprint-based criminal background checks and revised application processes.

• Consolidates and clarifies disciplinary procedures, including creation of new restoration procedures for revoked/suspended licenses, establishes hearing panel procedures, and authorizes the board to assess reasonable investigative costs against disciplined licensees.