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Committee introduces measure clarifying LPN duties under RN delegation
Summary
The House Health and Welfare Committee introduced RS 31,965, which replaces vague statutory language about RNs delegating duties to LPNs with the more specific phrase “performing delegated assessments.” Representative Dore Healy said the change is intended to better reflect practical roles and improve patient safety.
The Idaho House Health and Welfare Committee on Monday introduced RS 31,965, a proposal that would revise statutory language on delegation by registered nurses to licensed practical nurses to replace the phrase "contributing to" with the more specific "performing delegated assessments." Representative Dore Healy, sponsor of the request, said the change clarifies the scope of practice for LPNs and aims to "better reflect the practical roles and responsibilities of our licensed practical nurses."
The measure is procedural at this stage: Healy asked the committee to introduce the draft for printing and formal hearing. Representative Wheeler moved that the committee introduce RS 31,965, the chair called for the question and members responded "aye." The committee recorded the motion as carried and the RS was introduced for further consideration.
Healy told the committee the change is principally linguistic — removing a vague phrase and replacing it with explicit language about delegated assessments — and framed the proposal as a patient-safety and quality-of-care clarification rather than an expansion of duties. No fiscal note or stakeholder opposition was presented during the introduction.
If printed for a formal committee bill hearing, members will have the opportunity to examine draft statutory wording and hear public comment.
