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Committee advances bill to allow nurses to supervise medical assistants in clinics
Summary
House Bill 327, which would explicitly allow nurses to delegate non‑clinical tasks to medical assistants in provider offices, was reported from committee with a due‑pass recommendation after supporters and a witness described delegation gaps in existing code.
The Senate Health Committee voted to send House Bill 327 to the floor with a "do pass" recommendation after members heard testimony that current law does not clearly allow nurses to supervise medical assistants in some clinical settings.
Representative Healy introduced the bill and said medical assistants "are different than CNAs, LPNs, RNs," and that the measure "simply puts it into code that a nurse can oversee a medical assistant in this setting." She said the change is intended to reflect modern clinic staffing, where advanced practice registered nurses often supervise care and medical assistants perform tasks that do not require independent clinical judgment.
Senator Blaylock supported delegation but asked why the change is needed given existing delegation rules; Representative Healy responded that medical assistants are not currently identified in the nursing chapter and thus are not explicitly covered by the delegation provisions. She said the bill relies on the concept that nurses may delegate tasks that "do not involve the exercise of independent clinical judgment" and that the bill would link delegated duties to formal training and national certification "acceptable to the board."
Robert Vandermeer testified in favor of the bill, saying, "I'm here to testify in favour of this bill," and described practical examples in small clinics where nurses, rather than physicians, make delegation decisions so care can continue when a physician is not present.
Supporters argued the language was left intentionally broad to avoid duplicating detailed "can/cannot" lists that some larger organizations have already developed. There was no public testimony opposing the measure at the hearing. Senator Keiser moved to send House Bill 327 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation; Senator Blaylock seconded the motion. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The committee then adjourned.
