Posted By Administration,
Friday, March 11, 2022
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The last few weeks have marked forward progress for each of AzNA’s priority bills this session. Your AzNA policy team has been hard at work with a variety of healthcare coalitions to advance our priority initiatives along with a few other bills that impact nursing practice.
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SB1311 and HB2635, the mirror assault bills, both successfully passed out of their respective originating chambers. At this point, we are awaiting one of the bills to be scheduled for a Health and Human Services committee hearing in the crossover chamber order to advance the bill toward passage. We anticipate a substantial update on these bills next week.
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AzNA’s coalition healthcare workforce bill, HR2691, awaits a hearing in the Senate Appropriations committee.
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The OR smoke bill, HB2434, passed out of the Senate Health and Human Services committee this week. Next step is Senate Rules committee, then on to the full Senate.
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SB1234, continuation of the Arizona Board of Nursing, was heard by the House Health and Human Services committee with significant testimony from AzNA’s own Kathy Busby. There was discussion about a floor amendment to shorten the continuation from eight years to a shorter timeframe based on concerns expressed by legislators. The bill passed out of Health and Human Services and is on the House Rules agenda for Monday, March 14.
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SB1640, which defines the minimum age for CNAs as 16 years old, passed the House Health and Human Services committee and awaits House Rules.
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SB1210, which proposes to update transportation requirements for people experiencing a mental health crisis, is on the calendar for third read (full Senate passage) on Monday, March 14. There is also a stakeholder meeting scheduled for this bill in the coming week. Kathy Busby will be attending to represent AzNA, at the organizer’s request.
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HB2161, which would give parents the right to access all healthcare records for a minor child, unless prohibited by law enforcement or the courts. The bill states that any employee of an institution may not withhold any information that is relevant to the physical, emotional, or mental health of the child, upon penalty of disciplinary action against the individual and/or legal action against a governmental entity or official (including public and charter schools) by parents. The bill’s language includes parental rights to access written and electronic records of a school district or school district employee. AzNA’s government affairs team has been asked to review language, and we are communicating with the bill’s sponsor as there are potentially troubling implications for school nurses in the bill’s language.
Keep an eye out for scheduled hearings for our priority bills and practice armchair advocacy with just a few clicks of your mouse by using the Arizona Legislature’s RTS system. (Remember that although RTS stands for “Request to Speak” it doesn’t actually involve speaking!)
Note that you must activate your RTS account at a designated kiosk in the state capitol (or in downtown Tucson at 400 W. Congress St.) before you use it the first time. If you need help with that, please email dawna@aznurse.org and we can assist
As always, if you're interested in getting involved with AzNA's public policy committee or advocacy, email Dawna Cato at dawna@aznurse.org.
AzNA Government Affairs Officer
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