Recap: 2023 Maryland General Assembly

During the 2023 Maryland General Assembly (January-April), MAAPC’s Legislative Co-chairs, Lorraine Diana and Elaine Crain, along with Sabrina Sepulveda, MAAPC treasurer, attended bi-weekly meetings of the MNA Legislative Committee and worked on various issues that affected both nursing and advanced practice.

 

The following is a list of bills MAAPC focused on this past legislative session.  Of note all Maryland APRNs have full practice authority.

 

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR APRN COLLEAGUES. TOGETHER WE MAKE MARYLAND TRULY A PATIENT-CENTERED HEALTH-CARE STATE.

 

If you are interested in working with MAAPC’s Legislative Committee, please contact us at TheMAAPC@gmail.com. For MAAPC's Legislative History click here.

 

HB 278 (SB 213): Health Occupations – Clinical Nurse Specialists – Prescribing Authority

• Defining "clinical nurse specialist" and "practice as a clinical nurse specialist" for the purpose of authorizing clinical nurse specialists to prescribe drugs and durable medical equipment under regulations adopted by the State Board of Nursing; altering the definition of "authorized prescriber" for purposes of the Maryland Pharmacy Act to include clinical nurse specialists; and authorizing a licensed physician to personally prepare and dispense a prescription written by a clinical nurse specialist.
• MAAPC mentored the Maryland CNS association, CBANACNS, in drafting the new regulations and bill, educated stakeholders, and testified before Committee.
• PASSED 

 

HB055 / SB312: Health Occupations-Nurse Anesthetists-Drug Authority and Collaboration

• Authorizing a nurse anesthetist to prescribe, order, and administer drugs, including controlled dangerous substances, without obtaining approval from a practitioner with whom the nurse anesthetist collaborates, subject to certain limitations; and authorizing a nurse anesthetist to collaborate with a podiatrist.
• MAAPC assisted in educating legislators & sent written support.
• Passed

 

HB475/SB439 - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact.

• Entering into the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Compact; establishing criteria for participating states; authorizing an advanced practice registered nurse to practice in a party state under certain scope of practice rules; establishing the Interstate Commission of APRN Compact Administrators and its duties and powers; providing for the amendment of and withdrawal from the Compact; and providing the Compact is contingent on the enacting of substantially similar legislation in six other states.
• Will allow APRNs to apply for a compact license when 6 or more states adopt legislation
• MAAPC attended stakeholder meetings, assisted in educating legislators, convened a diverse panel to testify & sent written support.
• Did not pass.