S163 would recognize APRNs as potential attending providers in hospital statutes

John Pargain (Office of Legislative Council) introduced S163, a bill that would update statutory language in Vermont's hospital patient bill of rights and hospital licensure statutes to recognize Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in specified roles.

Pargain said existing statutes in multiple places refer only to an "attending physician"; S163 would add APRNs where appropriate and add an APRN definition tied to the APRN licensing subchapter. "This is just... adding a definition of advanced practice registered nurse," he explained, and said the change is intended to reflect current practice rather than expand scope.

Committee members asked about legal responsibility and liability when APRNs serve as the clinician of record. Counsel replied that liability would continue to be determined by prevailing standards of care and that multiple providers and the hospital itself could be subject to claims if care fell below the standard. He emphasized the bill is narrower than a scope expansion and suggested testimony from the Board of Medical Practice, the Office of Professional Regulation and nursing advocates to resolve outstanding questions.

The bill would also update cross‑references (including administrative complaint and discipline language) and hospital licensure language to permit APRNs to be listed where law currently specifies physicians. Members expressed interest in inviting regulatory and professional stakeholders to testify on implementation and liability implications before further action.