Ohio Senate unanimously passes bills on nurse anesthetists, excavation rules and EV charging; concurs on competency-timeline change

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Senate on Feb. 17 passed a slate of bipartisan measures aimed at clarifying health-care practice, improving excavation safety and encouraging private investment in electric vehicle infrastructure.

Senators recorded unanimous roll-call approvals for several bills and resolutions during a session that opened with a prayer and a series of ceremonial recognitions for students and community groups.

Senate action on House Bill 52: House Bill 52, described by Senator Huffman as a measure that “simply modernizes and clarifies the language in [the] Revised Code for certified registered nurse anesthetists,” removes an explicit supervisory requirement and replaces it with a collaboration standard. Huffman said the bill “provides a clear clinical framework for CRNAs to care for patients within their full scope of practice” and noted it would authorize CRNAs to perform activities such as epidurals and spinal anesthesia already within their scope. Senator Liston also spoke in support. The Senate approved the bill on a roll call of 32 yays, 0 nays; the clerk recorded “With 32 yays and 0 nays, the bill…