Substitute Senate Bill 81 Summary

• Authorizes advanced practice registered nurses (clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and certified nurse practitioners) and physician assistants to sign admission, discharge, and treatment documents for psychiatric and behavioral health inpatients, if specific conditions are met including physician authorization and employment at the facility.

• Establishes a "safe haven program" conducted by a monitoring organization to monitor nurses and practitioners with substance use disorders or impairment, allowing the Board of Nursing to abstain from disciplinary action for those participating in the program.

• Modifies insurance navigator regulations to require certification, background checks, and compliance training while prohibiting navigators from selling insurance or recommending specific health plans.

• Revises liability protections for the Board of Nursing and monitoring organizations conducting substance use disorder programs, shielding them from civil liability for actions related to their official duties.

• Makes changes to advanced practice registered nurse standard care arrangements, specifically allowing psychiatric-mental health nurses to collaborate with pediatricians and primary care physicians in addition to psychiatrists.