Carol Moreland, Executive Administrator, Kansas State Board of Nursing, provided testimony in opposition to HB2528 (Attachment 39). The KSBN has serious concerns with the bill. First is the voiding of disciplinary actions. Secondly is the change of the term, expiration, to renewal. The bill creates a late renewal period, which removes a violation for practicing without a license. Additional issues were noted to the committee. HB2528 places the KSBN in a position of complying with state law while potentially violating federal reporting requirements and interstate compact obligations, exposing Kansas to compliance findings and loss of standing.
Ms. Moreland responded to questions from the committee.
Ruth Burkhart, Board Member, Kansas State Board of Nursing, provided testimony in opposition to HB2528 (Attachment 40). KSBN ensures licensee meet established standards of nursing education, training and competency to safely practice. The major focus of concern regarding KSBN over the past year is in the area of licensing, a board function considered standard practice for nursing and other professional licensing boards. Licensing, renewal licenses and reinstatement of licenses by KSBN is regulatory and governed by state statutes and regulations. While charged with a primary goal of protecting the welfare of Kansans from unsafe nurse practice, KSBN is researching standardized models to guide the board in decision making regarding discipline.
Dustin Baker, President, Kansas Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Association (KAPN), provided testimony in opposition to HB2528 (Attachment 41). KAPN listed several concerns about the bill. Mr. Baker noted that the bill lacks clarity. KAPN is asking the committee to not pass out the bill as written, but requests a coalition of community partners and organizations come together to formulate a bill that would solve the concerns of the Government Oversight Committee and the nursing workforce.
Angie Schreiber, Private Citizen, provided testimony in opposition to HB2528 (Attachment 42). The purpose of the KSBN is to license nurses and other mental health technicians to protect Kansans. The present system is straightforward, a license is renewed every two years in the licensee's birth month with one reminder notice. Let the licensure group keep Kansans safe.
Kelly Sommers, Private Citizen, provided testimony in opposition to HB2528 (Attachment 43). The bill is designed to change regulations for nurses to satisfy a handful of nurses who refuse to accept personal responsibility. Nursing regulations exist to protect the public and trust in nurses. The bill lacks a collaborative effort. Regulations are complex issues that should never be open to interpretation. Revocation of licenses is rare and usually involves serious, recurrent and intentional misconduct. Nurses are responsible to know their own Nurse Practice Act.
Carol Moore, Private Citizen, provided testimony in opposition to HB2528 (Attachment 44). The bill does nothing to to enhance the care of patients or advance the stature of nursing. At issue, first is the voiding or erasing of data. There is also the issue of the number of reminders for renewal.
The following provided written only testimony in opposition to the bill:
Carla Lee, Private Citizen (Attachment 45)
The hearing was closed on HB2528.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:26 PM.