Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee backs bill updating supervision of Legislative Facilities nurse to align with Nurse Practice Act
Summary
Sen. Howard Pearl sponsored SB 197 to remove the commissioner’s direct supervision of the nurse employed by the Legislative Facilities Committee and instead have that nurse practice under the Nurse Practice Act. Department witnesses said the change aligns statutory text with longstanding practice.
Sen. Howard Pearl introduced Senate Bill 197, which would remove language that directed the commissioner to provide medical supervision for the nurse stationed with the Legislative Facilities Committee and instead make explicit that the nurse shall act within the scope of practice set by the board of nursing and RSA 326-B, the Nurse Practice Act.
Jonathan Ballard, chief medical officer at the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, testified for the department and said the statutory language has not been updated since 1995 and did not reflect current nursing practice. Ballard said the department supports the change and that the department will continue to provide operational support to the nurse’s station as needed.
Why it matters: The change clarifies supervision responsibilities and aligns the statute with modern nursing practice by deferring to the Nurse Practice Act rather than naming the commissioner as the nurse’s supervisory authority.
Committee action: The committee heard the testimony, had no questions, and subsequently voted in executive session to move the bill as recommended; the committee also recorded that it would take the bill to the floor as appropriate.
Quote in context: “This legislation updates the language to current, in alignment with other language within the law,” Ballard told the committee. “The department shall still continue to provide support as needed to the nurse’s station.”
Next steps: Committee approved advancing the measure and will carry it forward consistent with committee procedure.
