Legislative News
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The Vermont Legislature – Healthcare Issues
The 2010-2011 session of the Vermont Legislature is scheduled to run from early January to late April. During the early part of the session, the Senate will meet on Tuesday and Friday mornings, the House will meet on Tuesday-Friday mornings as usual.
Recent Nursing Related Legislation in Vermont & its status:
H.268 Feb. 2010: an act relating to prohibiting mandatory overtime for health care employees. Status: referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a).
H.238 Feb. 2009: an act relating to safe patient handling. Status: read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services.
S.52 Jan. 2009: an act relating to enhancing the penalty for assault of a nurse. Status: read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
The Vermont Legislature Bill Tracking System This will link you to the state web site where you may check the status of bills in the Vermont legislature, read the text of the bills, and more.
The Vermont Legislature Web Site Home Page
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Legislative News from other states of Interest to Nursing:
New Hampshire
HCR30: This house concurrent resolution urges the attorney general to fully investigate the proposed transaction between Catholic Medical Center Healthcare System and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health. (April 2010).
HB1548: This bill includes ambulatory surgical facilities in the law requiring hospitals to report infections. Status: passed into Law March 2010.
HB1426: This bill allows patients to bring their medications to the hospital or health care facility. Status: Sent to House Human Services & Elderly Affairs Committee 02/02/10.
New Hampshire Legislative Web Site
New Jersey
A660: Establishes minimum registered professional Nurse staffing standards for hospitals and ambulatory surgery facilities and certain DHS facilities. Status: 1/12/2010 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.
A1640: Requires newly licensed registered professional Nurse to attain baccalaureate degree in nursing within 10 years of initial licensure. Status: 2/26/2009 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Regulated Professions Committee.
A1989: Enters New Jersey in Nurse Multistate Licensure Compact. Status: 1/24/2008 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.
A922: Establishes Become A Nurse license plates and dedicates fees for nursing scholarships. Status: 1/8/2008 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation, Public Works and Independent Authorities Committee.
A965: Establishes three-year Nurse Educator Pilot Program in Division of Consumer Affairs. Status: 1/8/2008 Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.
New Jersey Legislative Web Site
New York
A03575: Enacts the “Nurse of Tomorrow Act of 2010″ to provide for grants to certain hospitals, schools and other entities for nurse recruitment, education and retention. Status: 05/04/2010 held for consideration in higher education.
A02079: Relates to the educational preparation for practice of professional nursing (BSN in 10). Status: 01/06/2010 referred to higher education; 06/22/2010 reported referred to codes.
A00979: Requires that a registered professional nurse be in each school when medicallyfragile students are in attendance or when students are at major risk of injury. Status: 01/06/2010 referred to education.
A02112: Requires cultural awareness and competence training for all medical professionals as part of their licensing requirements. Status: 01/06/2010 referred to higher education.
A01752: Enacts Nursing Care Quality Protection Act:” Requires facilities to disclose nursing quality indicators.” Status: 09/16/2009 Signed into Law.
A00731: Enacts the “safe staffing for quality care act.” Status: 01/07/2009 referred to health01/13/2009 enacting clause stricken.
Massachusetts
Senate No. 911: An act relative to patient safety. Status: 6/2/2010; Second reading, new draft substituted.
Senate No. 1193: An act adopting the nurse licensure compact. Status: 4/20/2010; Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
Massachusetts Legislation Web Site
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Federal Legislation of Interest to Nursing
AONE Legislative Priorities 2010
AONE Political Action Committee
Federal healthcare reform and its impact on nursing. (May 2010 AONE Report)
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