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House Engrossed |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Forty-ninth Legislature Second Regular Session 2010
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HOUSE BILL 2670 |
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AN ACT
Amending title 32, chapter 15, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 32-1641; making an appropriation; relating to the state board of nursing.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 32, chapter 15, article 2, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 32-1641, to read:
32-1641. Continuing education; annual requirements; extension requests; disciplinary action
A. Beginning April 1, 2012 as a condition of license renewal, a registered or practical nurse must complete twenty hours of continuing education or its equivalent as prescribed by the board for each renewal year and provide documentation of compliance at the time of renewal pursuant to section 32-1642.
B. Beginning April 1, 2012, as a condition of certificate renewal, a certified nursing assistant must complete twelve hours each year of continuing education.
C. The board by rule shall prescribe:
1. The criteria and categories for continuing EDUCATION or equivalent hours to assist licensees and certificate holders to maintain or improve competency and to gain the necessary understanding of current developments, skills, procedures and treatment.
2. Any Specific continuing education subject areas.
3. The form of documentation to be submitted at the time of renewal to establish compliance with the requirements of this section.
4. The extent to which continuing education hours may be carried over from year to year.
D. If a licensee or certificate holder does not meet the requirements of subsection A or B because of that person's illness, religious missionary activity or residence in a foreign country or any other extenuating circumstance, the board may grant an extension of time to complete the continuing education if it receives from the licensee or certificate holder a written request that details the reasons for the extension request.
E. A person who falsely claims attendance at a required continuing education course commits an act of unprofessional conduct and is subject to disciplinary action.
F. In a dispute concerning the qualification of continuing education hours to meet the board's criteria, the licensee or certificate holder may request an administrative hearing pursuant to title 41, chapter 6, article 10.
Sec. 2. Proration of continuing education requirements
The state board of nursing shall prorate the continuing education requirements prescribed pursuant to section 32-1641, Arizona Revised Statutes, as added by this act, by one year periods for licenses and certificates that are renewed before April 1, 2015. A licensee who must renew a license on or before April 1, 2012, must have completed twenty hours of continuing education as a condition of license renewal.
Sec. 3. Exemption from rule making
For the purposes of this act, the state board of nursing is exempt from the rule making requirements of title 41, chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, for one year after the effective date of this act.
Sec. 4. Appropriation; state board of nursing; exemption
A. The sum of $164,618 and two FTE positions are appropriated from the board of nursing fund established by section 32-1611, Arizona Revised Statutes, in fiscal year 2011-2012 to the state board of nursing for the purposes of this act.
B. The appropriation made in subsection A of this section is exempt from the provisions of section 35-190, Arizona Revised Statutes, relating to lapsing of appropriations.