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Subcommittee advances peer‑assistance program for nurses modeled on other health professions
Summary
House Bill 219 would create a peer‑assistance and monitoring program for nurses who are impaired or before surrendering licenses, modeled on programs for physicians, pharmacists and dentists; the subcommittee voted to advance the bill.
House Bill 219, a proposal to establish a peer‑assistance review program for nurses, passed the special subcommittee on Oct. 12, 2025.
Representative Stevens presented the bill, saying it mirrors existing programs for physicians, pharmacists and dentists and provides a pathway for nurses who face impairment due to mental health issues, substance use or other conditions to receive treatment and return to practice under supervision. "This is a peer to peer review for nurses," Stevens said. "It gets these nurses in a shortage situation... as long as they adhere to their protocol there, then they can get treated and get back to work."
Committee members asked about confidentiality, funding and repeat participation. Stevens said records held by a contracted monitoring program would be protected against broad access and that the bill does not include a dedicated state funding stream; private funding or fees are allowed under the bill language. On repeat offenders, a committee member noted boards have tools to address recurrent violations and that repeat cases often return to the licensing board for further action.
A motion for "do pass" was made, seconded and carried by voice vote; the chair announced the bill passes out of subcommittee. The transcript records the committee vote by voice; no roll‑call sheet appears in the record.
