Board hears staff report on bills affecting nursing and signals support for several measures; opposes one

The Board of Registered Nursing reviewed a package of state legislation May 29 and took positions on multiple bills that affect nursing practice, education and allied workforce policy.

Major actions

- AB 260 (Agiir‑Curry): The board voted to support a bill that would protect healing‑arts practitioners from civil, criminal or administrative actions solely for prescribing or furnishing medication abortion drugs such as mifepristone, and would repeal certain criminal provisions related to abortion. The measure would also delete a provision in the nurse practice act that currently allows discipline for aiding a criminal abortion. Staff reported no significant budget impact to the board and the motion to support passed unanimously.

- AB 836 (Midwifery Workforce Training Act): The board supported a legislatively‑directed statewide workforce landscape study to identify gaps and viable midwifery education programs. The bill would authorize the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) to hire a consultant to produce a report; staff noted the author requested a $1,000,000 appropriation for the study. The board supported the concept and voted to recommend support.

- AB 876 (nurse anesthetist practice clarity): The board voted to support legislation intended to clarify statutory language on nurse anesthetist practice to reduce confusion about CRNA roles. Supporters said the bill clarifies that nurse anesthetists may select and modify anesthesia modalities under an order for anesthesia services, and it reaffirms existing case law. The board’s prior support for clarifying CRNA practice was reiterated; the motion passed unanimously.

- AB 985 (anesthesiologist assistant licensing): The board voted to oppose a bill that would establish a new regulated title, “anesthesiologist assistant,” and authorize practice under an anesthesiologist’s supervision. Staff and several board members raised concerns that the bill did not provide a clear regulatory home or licensure pathway in California and that introducing a new provider type without detailed oversight mechanisms could displace existing providers and create safety and administrative complications. The motion to oppose passed unanimously.

- AB 1400 (community college BSN pilot): The board voted to support a bill requiring the community‑college chancellor’s office to develop a pilot allowing selected community college districts to offer a baccalaureate degree in nursing. Supporters said expanded BSN access at lower cost could reduce waiting lists and increase workforce capacity; opponents (including CSU and some colleges) raised concerns about transfer pathways and longer‑term impacts. The board voted to support the pilot.

Other bills discussed

- AB 1082 (nursing students in out‑of‑state distance programs): Previously opposed by the board, this proposal — which would have allowed California residents enrolled in out‑of‑state distance nursing programs to complete clinical training in California — was held under submission and is not advancing this session.

- AB 1215 (hospitals, medical‑staff membership): The author placed this bill on a two‑year track. The measure would address CDPH regulations that limit hospital medical staff membership and seeks to align hospital code with state law authorizing medical staff membership for competent practitioners. Staff noted petitions to CDPH seeking that change are already pending.

Board counsel and staff emphasized positions reflect current board policy and identified fiscal analyses where available. Votes on board positions were unanimous on each item the board moved to act on. The board will continue to track these measures as they move through the Legislature.