AzNA tracks bills based on our Public Policy Agenda. This agenda focuses on the health of all Arizonans and the professional practice and work environment of our Arizona nurses.

February 19, 2018-

This past week was a very busy and exhausting one.

It was the last week for bills to be heard by a committee in the chamber (House or Senate) in which they originated - if they didn't receive a hearing they are likely dead. Because of this deadline, the committees had very lengthy agendas and multiple controversial bills to hear. Many committee hearings lasted 5 hours or more. AzNA was present for all of the committee hearings impacting bills we are following, both for protection of AZ nurses and the health of our Arizona communities.

This week will be just as busy. Both chambers will hold lengthy floor sessions to vote on the bills that passed through a committee. Bills that pass during this floor session are sent forward to the other chamber, while bills that do not pass are dead for this year's legislative session.

Bills of Interest This Week

Below are a few follow up bills ("trailers") to the large opioid bill that was passed in special session in January. These bills clarify some of the sections in the opioid statute.

HB2548 health professionals; continuing education; opioids passed unanimously through House Health Committee and it clarifies that all health professionals who are authorized to prescribe schedule II controlled substances must complete three hours of opioid related, substance use related or addiction related education each during each license renewal cycle. This includes NPs and CNMs. We anticipate the Board of Nursing providing more guidance on this process if the bill is passed and signed into law.

AzNA Position: AzNA is closely monitoring this bill.

HB2549 controlled substances; dosage limit passed unanimously through House Health Committee and adds two items to the opioid bill that require certain medical practices with large opioid prescribing to be licensed as pain clinics. The addition to the bill allows 60 days for medical practices that meet the requirement to file for a clinic license. Pain clinics are required to have a medical director and the amendment to this bill allowed NPs with advanced pain certification to act as a medical director.

AzNA Position: Support

HB2633 pharmacists; controlled substances passed unanimously through House Health Committee and clarifies that it is not a pharmacist's responsibility to verify that a prescription written for greater than 90 morphine equivalent milligrams complies with the requirement that a board certified pain specialist had evaluated the patient. It is up to the prescriber to follow the law and not the pharmacist to police.

AzNA Position: Support