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Committee approves bill clarifying LPN role in delegated nursing assessments
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send House Bill 89 to the floor after lawmakers and the bill sponsor agreed the measure clarifies how licensed practical nurses may perform delegated, focused assessments under RN supervision.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee on an aye voice vote sent House Bill 89 to the Senate floor with a “do pass” recommendation, clearing language that changes how licensed practical nurses (LPNs) may take part in nursing assessments.
Representative Healy, sponsor of House Bill 89, told the committee the bill is intended as a technical cleanup to align statute with current administrative rules and clinical practice. "In that very cautious wording, this may be the simplest you do see this year," Healy said, adding that the change replaces the phrase "contributing to" an assessment with language that reflects delegated, focused assessments already used in IDAPA rules.
The measure revises statutory language so registered nurses (RNs) can delegate specific, appropriate focused assessment tasks to LPNs, rather than asking only that an LPN generally "contribute" to an assessment. Healy said that under existing practice an RN can give an LPN a specific list of tasks — for example, take vital signs or assess a skin area — but the statutory phrasing using "contribute" was ambiguous.
Senator Shippey asked whether the bill’s phrasing — moving from "performing delegated assessments" to "performing appropriate delegated focused assessments" — would change practice. Healy replied there is no practical difference intended; "focused" clarifies the scope by implying a specific, delegated checklist and "appropriate" was added at the request of a nursing group to ensure tasks stay within an RN’s scope of responsibility.
Senator Blaylock, who moved the committee recommendation, said the change "enhances the clarity of scope of practice" and supports patient safety while allowing nursing teams in assisted living and skilled nursing facilities to work to their full ability.
The committee record shows the motion to send House Bill 89 to the floor was moved by Senator Blaylock and seconded by Senator Wintrow; the motion passed by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.
The bill focuses on statutory wording and does not, in the committee discussion, change licensing standards, training requirements, or supervisory duties beyond the clarified delegation language.
