Legislature(2021 - 2022)
2021-02-03 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf2021-02-03 Senate Journal Page 0141 SB 67 SENATE BILL NO. 67 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to the licensure of nursing professionals; relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact; and providing for an effective date." 2021-02-03 Senate Journal Page 0142 was read the first time and referred to the Health and Social Services and Labor and Commerce Committees. The following fiscal information was published today: Fiscal Note No. 1, Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Health and Social Services Fiscal Note No. 3, zero, Department of Public Safety Governor's transmittal letter dated January 29: Dear President Micciche: Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill relating to a Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact. This bill would allow Alaska to adopt the Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact, which would strengthen the State's healthcare delivery system by reducing barriers to licensure for Registered and Licensed Practical Nurses, and by increasing opportunities for nurses from other states to practice in the State. The Multistate Nurse Licensure Compact would allow Registered and Practical Nurses in any of the 34 participating states to practice in Alaska without being subject to a time-consuming licensing process. It would also provide Alaska nurses with a multistate license to practice in the other 34 participating states, as well. This bill would not affect Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), or anyone else who wishes to practice under an Alaska-only nursing license. For those practitioners, this bill preserves the availability of temporary licenses and licensure by credentials. This bill would codify the Nurse Licensure Compact as a new statute, AS 08.69. Conforming changes to the existing nursing statute, AS 08.68, would be made to accommodate the Compact’s requirements. The Compact’s requirements for multistate licensure are rigorous, exceeding those in our present statute, and supporting high-quality care for all Alaskans. 2021-02-03 Senate Journal Page 0143 The Compact would establish a commission with rulemaking, enforcement, and financial assessment provisions. Alaska would appoint one person to be the compact administrator within the state. The single-state and multi-state nurse licensing programs would have separate receipt support funding, which means the multistate licensing program will not impact the costs for the single-state licensees. This bill is a win-win, keeping our present licensure options for CNAs, APRNs, and Alaska-only licensees, while opening Alaska’s diverse communities to multistate licensed RNs and LPNs to help fill the hundreds of nursing vacancies across the state. This legislation is strongly supported by healthcare facilities and nurses throughout Alaska, as well as the U.S. Department of Defense. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Mike Dunleavy Governor