February 19, 2019

The Mid-February Shift

The legislative session is proceeding in its usual hectic manner at this time of year. This week is the last week to hear bills in the chamber in which they originated. Meeting agendas are very long.

So That's It? No New Bills?

New bills can no longer be created or introduced without special permission from leadership. However, existing bills can be used as 'strikers' - a bill which crosses out, or 'strikes', all of it's original text and substitutes completely new text. Amendments to existing bills can also be filed. These amendments do not necessary have to relate to the original text of the bill.

This dance to use existing bills to effectively introduce new legislation that missed the new bill deadline keeps AzNA's team on their toes.

What's up with the CNS and Workforce Bills?

HB2068, providing limited prescriptive authority to CNSs, is expected to be voted on by the House of Representatives as a whole in the coming days. AzNA met with several legislators who had expressed concerns. They were satisfied with the amendments AzNA made and are not expected to oppose the bill.

SB1096, providing funding for the health professionals workforce database, passed unanimously out of the Senate and is now waiting to be heard in the House in a few weeks.

Great News! How About Healthcare Practitioner Assault?

The assault on health care workers bill will be heard in the House Judiciary committee this week. HB2503 increases the criminal classification of aggravated assault committed on a health care practitioner while engaged in the practitioner's duties to a class 5 (second lowest) felony, from a class 6 (lowest) felony. AzNA will have ER Nurses who have been assaulted testify during the committee meeting regarding their experiences in the emergency room.

Get to Work!

We encourage you to contact your legislators and sign in in support of these bills.