SENATE, No. 1236

SECTION 1. Section 80B of Chapter 112 of the Massachusetts General Laws, as so appearing in the 2004 Official Edition is hereby amended by striking the second paragraph and inserting in place there of the following:--

“Nursing practice involves clinical decision making leading to the development and implementation of a strategy of care to accomplish defined goals, the administration of medication, therapeutics and treatment prescribed by duly authorized nurses in advanced practice, as defined by the board of registration in nursing; dentists; physicians; and physician assistants’ and the evaluation of responses to care and treatment. It shall include, but not be limited to the performance of services which promote and support optimal functioning across the life span; the collaboration with other members of the health team to achieve defined goals; health counseling and teaching; the provision of comfort measures; teaching and supervising others; and participation in research which contributes to the expansion of nursing knowledge.”

SECTION 2. Section 80B of said Chapter 112, is further amended by striking the sixth paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph:- “Advanced practice nursing regulations which govern the ordering and interpretation of tests, therapeutics and prescribing of medications shall be promulgated by the board.”

SECTION 3. Section 80E of said Chapter 112, is hereby amended by striking the entire section and inserting thereof the following section: - “Section 80E. A nurse authorized to practice as a certified nurse practitioner or a certified psychiatric nurse mental health clinical specialist may order and interpret tests, therapeutics and prescribe medications in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board and subject to the provisions of paragraph (i) of section seven of chapter ninety-four C.”

SECTION 4. Section 80G of said Chapter 112 is hereby amended by striking the entire section and inserting in place thereof the following new section:- “Section 80G. A nurse authorized to practice as a certified nurse-midwife may order and interpret tests, therapeutics and prescribe medications in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board and subject to the provisions of paragraph (i) of section seven of chapter ninety-four C.”

SECTION 5. Said Chapter 112 is hereby further amended by adding the following new section:- “Section 80H. A nurse authorized to practice as a certified nurse anesthetist may order and interpret tests, therapeutics and prescribe medications in accordance with regulations promulgated by the board and subject to the provisions of paragraph (i) of section seven of chapter ninety-four C.”

SECTION 6. Section 1 of Chapter 94C of the General Laws, as so appearing in the 2004 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding a new subsection to the definition of “Practitioner”:- “(d) An Advanced Practice Nurse authorized by sections 80B, 80E, 80G, and 80H of Chapter 112 and registered pursuant in paragraph (i) of section 7 to utilize and prescribe therapeutic pharmaceutical agents in the course of professional practice in the commonwealth.”

SECTION 7. Section 7 of said Chapter 94C is hereby amended by striking out paragraphs two and three in subsection (g).

SECTION 8. Section 7 of said Chapter 94C is hereby further amended at the end thereof with the following:- “(i) The commissioner shall promulgate regulations which provide for the automatic registration of advanced practice nurses, upon the receipt of the fee as herein provided, to written issue prescriptions in accordance with the provisions of sections 80B, 80E, 80G, and 80H of chapter 112, unless the registration of such advanced practice nurse has been suspended or revoked pursuant to the provisions of section 13 or section 14 or unless such registration is denied for cause by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of chapter 30A. Prior to promulgating such regulations, the commissioner shall consult with the board of registration in nursing.”