Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205
04/20/2021 01:30 PM Senate HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB67 | |
| SB78 | |
| SB80 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 67 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 78 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 80 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
SB 67-NURSING: LICENSURE; MULTISTATE COMPACT
1:33:18 PM
CHAIR WILSON announced the consideration of SENATE BILL NO. 67
"An Act relating to the licensure of nursing professionals;
relating to a multistate nurse licensure compact; and providing
for an effective date."
He noted the committee heard an overview of the bill and a
sectional analysis and took public testimony at previous
hearings.
CHAIR WILSON recalled the committee began the amendment process
on April 15. There was a motion pending to adopt Amendment 4 and
an objection for the purpose of discussion. He asked Senator
Begich to refresh the committee's memories about the amendment.
1:34:30 PM
SENATOR BEGICH stated Amendment 4, under AS 08.68.330, adds the
requirement that multistate licensed nurses successfully
complete two hours of board approved Alaska Native cultures
training. He noted that Alaska is unique, as twenty-one percent
of its population is comprised of indigenous peoples.
CHAIR WILSON remarked that the purpose of the meeting is to
discuss whether the amendments will negatively impact the
nursing compact.
1:35:40 PM
SARA CHAMBERS, Director, Division of Corporations, Business and
Professional Licensing, Department of Commerce, Community and
Economic Development, Juneau, Alaska, stated a foundational
concept of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) is that states
cannot impose additional preemployment restrictions on nurses.
Amendment 4 would be a restriction and kill the bill.
Previously, members inquired whether the training could be
required after a nurse is hired. She suggested Ms. Fotsch speak
to that consideration.
1:37:28 PM
REBECCA Fotsch, Director, State Advocacy and Legislative
Affairs, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Chicago,
Illinois, commented that she could check with the attorney for
the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) to determine whether the
amendment would be considered a material deviation from the
agreement. The requirement is a problem because it would
decrease efficiency and fluid mobility. Nurses would need to
keep track of what each state requires.
SENATOR REINBOLD commented that Amendment 4 is respectful to
Alaska Natives and people living in remote areas, but she does
not like to yield authority to a compact she has not seen. She
asserted training could be accomplished during the nurse's
flight to Alaska. She does not like the compact's lack of
flexibility. She will vote for the amendment.
1:39:52 PM
SENATOR BEGICH stated that a state cedes its ability to regulate
nurses when it joins the compact. His goal is to protect the
state's interest. The state will not be able to make changes
unless every state in the compact accepts it. He is concerned
that the state would be surrendering sovereignty and expressed a
desire to have an attorney determine if Amendment 4 could be
accepted by the compact.
CHAIR WILSON noted nurses licensed in Alaska currently are not
required to take a course in Alaska Native cultures. He asked
Danette Schloeder to comment.
1:41:59 PM
DANETTE SCHLOEDER, Chair, Alaska Board of Nursing, Anchorage,
Alaska, replied correct; Amendment 4 would only apply to nurses
working under a multistate license and not nurses who chose to
have a single state license. She said the value of cultural
education would benefit all healthcare providers, not just
multistate licensed nurses.
SENATOR HUGHES expressed disappointment that the department had
not learned whether Amendment 4 would be a problem for the
compact. Many nurses in her district want a multistate license.
She agreed with Ms. Schloeder that cultural training for all
healthcare providers would be ideal, but it is not in the
committee's purview. She remarked that problems with SB 67 can
be addressed in the next committee of referral.
1:44:04 PM
CHAIR WILSON removed his objection; finding no further
objection, Amendment 4 passed.
He asked Ms. Chambers if she had any final comments.
MS. CHAMBERS replied that there are misunderstandings about SB
67. She clarified that the entire compact is included in the
bill. The bill document, SB 67, is the compact.
She continued that it is not true that entering the compact
causes the state to lose its ability to govern the practice of
nursing. The Alaska Board of Nursing governs the practice and
discipline of nursing in Alaska. The board can adopt regulations
to respond to needs in the practice of nursing.
Most of Alaska's nurses are from out of state. There are twenty
thousand nurses in the state of Alaska. They are not all
residents. Currently, the department does not require what the
members are concerned about. The multistate license provides a
faster way for nurses, who qualify at higher standards, to
practice in Alaska. That is all it does; the rest of the
jurisdiction stays with the Alaska Board of Nursing.
She would like to alleviate concerns, misunderstands or
questions the committee has. SB 67 gets highly qualified nurses
to Alaska practicing under the jurisdiction of the Alaska Board
of Nursing.
1:46:58 PM
SENATOR BEGICH challenged the claim that most of Alaska's nurses
are from outside the state and requested evidence. The committee
was informed that the state cannot amend the compact without
approval from all compact states. He contended that the compact
would disallow any regulatory changes that materially impact the
agreement and the legislature would not be able to amend
statutes without approval. He asked Ms. Chambers to explain if
he is wrong.
SENATOR REINBOLD agreed that testimony was conflicting. She will
vote no on SB 67 because it undermines legislative authority and
decreases state sovereignty. The Alaska Alliance on Retired
Americans, the American Federation of Labor and Congress of
Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the Alaska Nurses
Association provided solid reasons for voting no on SB 67.
CHAIR WILSON solicited a motion to move the bill from committee.
1:49:41 PM
SENATOR HUGHES moved to report SB 67, work order 32-GS1603\A as
amended, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
1:49:50 PM
SENATOR REINBOLD objected.
1:50:16 PM
A roll call vote was taken. Senators Hughes and Wilson voted in
favor of the motion to move SB 67 as amended from committee and
Senators Costello, Reinbold, and Begich voted against it.
Therefore, the motion failed 2:3.
CHAIR WILSON announced that with a vote of 2 yeas and 3 nays, SB
67 failed to move from the Senate Health and Social Services
Committee.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| SB 78 NORD Ltr of Support.pdf |
SHSS 4/20/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 78 |
| SB 80 Public Input 4.20.21 Redacted.pdf |
SHSS 4/20/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |
| SB 78 Adopted Amendments 4.20.21.pdf |
SHSS 4/20/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 78 |
| SB 80 Amendment B.4 Wilson.pdf |
SHSS 4/20/2021 1:30:00 PM |
SB 80 |