Central Sterile Supply Bill Introduced in Massachusetts This fall Massachusetts Senator Stephen Brewer introduced a bill that would require certification and continuing education for central service technicians working in Massachusetts hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Minnesota Governor Signs Staffing Bill House Bill 588, a nurse staffing bill, has been signed by Governor Mark Dayton and will go into effect on August 1, 2013. Illinois ASCs May be Surveyed to the Recommended Practices Earlier this fall, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued proposed updates to its ambulatory surgery center (ASC) licensing regulations. Illinois Updates Surgical Technologist Requirements Illinois HB 533 was signed by the Governor on July 16, 2013. The bill extends the sunset date of the existing Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act to 2024. AORN Asks Georgia BON to Recognize Certifications In May, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a bill into law that will require applicants for RN license renewals to meet one of five continuing competency requirements. AORN has written a letter to the Board of Nursing requesting that the CNOR and CRNFA certifications be recognized by the Board. Pennsylvania Introduces Safe Staffing Bill A bill that would require Pennsylvania hospitals to develop, implement and monitor a professional nurse staffing plan for each hospital unit has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Allied Health Bills Signed into Law On August 1, 2013, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed two pieces of legislation into law, both of which will require certification of allied health care providers. AORN Comments on Colorado First Assistant Payment Rule AORN collaborated with the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists to submit comments to the Colorado Clean Claims Task Force concerning draft payment rules for processing first assistant at surgery claims. AORN Submits Comments on Montana ASC Licensure Requirements AORN has submitted comments to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services regarding the proposed adoption of new rules for Montana outpatient centers for surgical services. Georgia Governor Signs Continuing Competency Bill Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a continuing competency bill into law on May 6, 2013. Tennessee Governor Signs Law Protecting Nurses A bill criminalizing the assault of health care providers has been signed into law by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam. Tennessee Surgical Technologist Education Bill Signed by Governor Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has signed Senate Bill 623, a surgical technologist continuing education bill, into law. New Virginia Continued Competency Requirements for RNs Effective August 1, 2013, new regulations in Virginia will require nurses seeking to renew an active nursing license to provide evidence of continued competency. Florida Surgical Technologist Bills Die with End of Session Combined Surgical Technologist and Surgical Assistant bills,Senate Bill 360 and House Bill 281, both died on May 3 due to the end of Florida’s 2013 legislative session. RNFA Reimbursement Bill Introduced in Pennsylvania A Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) reimbursement bill, Senate Bill 846, has been introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate by Senator Patricia Vance. North Carolina Nurses Association Endorses RN Circulator Bill The North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA) has officially endorsed RN Circulator Bill, Senate Bill 371. Michigan Introduces Registered Nurse First Assistant Reimbursement Bills Registered Nurse First Assistant (RNFA) reimbursement bills were introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives on April 9, 2013 and referred to the Committee on Insurance. Washington Surgical Technologist Bill Stalls A surgical technologist education bill has stalled in the Washington State House of Representatives due to its failure to meet procedural deadlines for bill movement out of committee. BSN Requirement Considered in New York A bill requiring New York registered nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree within ten years of initial licensure has been introduced in the New York legislature. AORN Member Appointed to Board of Nursing AORN member Nancy Fellows, BA MPA MSN RN CNOR of Willoughby Hills, Ohio has been appointed by Governor John R. Kasich to serve on the Ohio Board of Nursing. Massachusetts Governor Signs Surgical Technologist Certification Bill A bill requiring certification of Massachusetts surgical technologists was signed by Governor Deval Patrick on December 28, 2012. Share
