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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
board of nursing; continuation
Purpose
Continues the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) for four years.
Background
The AZBN is established to protect and promote the welfare of the public
by ensuring that each person holding a nursing license or certificate is
competent to practice safely. The AZBN fulfills its mission through: 1) approving
regulated training and educational programs;
2) establishing approval and reapproval processes for nursing and nursing
assistant training programs; 3) preparing and maintaining a list of approved
nursing programs; 4) examining qualified registered and practical nurse
applicants; 5) licensing and renewing the licenses of qualified registered and
practical nurse applicants and licensed nursing assistants; 6) adopting rules
pertaining to the practice of nursing; 7) determining and administering
appropriate disciplinary action against regulated parties who are found guilty
of misconduct; and 8) enforcing fingerprint clearance card requirements (A.R.S.
§ 32-1606).
AZBN membership consists of 11 members
appointed by the governor to five-year terms, including: 1) six registered
nurses, including at least one registered nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse
specialist or a certified registered nurse anesthetist; 2) a nursing assistant
or a nursing assistant educator; 3) two members of the public; and 4) two licensed
practical nurses (A.R.S.
§ 32-1602).
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee of Reference (COR) held a public meeting on January 13, 2022, to review and evaluate the AZBN's response to the sunset review factors and to receive public testimony. The COR recommended that the Legislature continue the AZBN for eight years (COR Final Report). The AZBN terminates on July 1, 2022, unless continued by the Legislature (A.R.S. § 41-3022.04).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Continues, retroactive to July 1, 2022, the AZBN until July 1, 2026.
2. Repeals the AZBN on January 1, 2027.
3. Contains a purpose statement.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date, with a retroactive provision as noted.
Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives
· Continues the AZBN for four years, rather than eight.
Senate Action House Action
HHS 2/21/22 DP 7-0-1 HHS 3/7/22 DP 6-2-1-0
3rd Read 2/24/22 24-4-2 3rd Read 3/17/22 45-13-2
Prepared by Senate Research
March 18, 2022
MM/CC/sr