AN ACT relating to nursing.
     Create new sections of KRS 314.011 to 314.161 to permit Board of Nursing to require a criminal background investigation through a fingerprint check when an out-of-state applicant seeks licensure; permit board to issue declaratory rulings; require licensee to maintain current address with board and be deemed to have consented to service of board notices and orders; require licensee to notify board in writing of change in status of professional or business licenses; require licensee to notify board within 30 days of final judgment of misdemeanor or felony conviction; amend KRS 314.011 to define "competency" and "credential"; amend KRS 314.025 to express intent of General Assembly that applicant for scholarship funding who is on nurse aide abuse registry may not be eligible for incentive scholarship; amend KRS 314.031 to require person to report to board any information relating to suspicion of abuse, misuse, or misappropriation of drugs or records; amend KRS 314.041 to give board discretion in issuing a license if qualifications are met; amend KRS 314.042 to permit board to designate ARNP as a clinical nurse specialist; amend KRS 314.051 to delete reference to completion of high school; amend KRS 314.061 to refer to credentials, rather than license; amend KRS 314.073 to refer to continuing competency, rather than continuing education, requirements; amend KRS 314.085 to permit board to deny an application until person submits to required physical or mental examination under certain circumstances; amend KRS 314.091 to permit board to reprimand, in addition to other sanctions; permit board to sanction licensee for abuse of prescription medications or alcohol, or for any cause for which license could have been denied had it been known to the board, or if person has been listed on nurse aide abuse registry; amend KRS 314.101 to delete reference to the passing of a foreign nursing school examination; amend KRS 314.111 to delete reference to period surveys of nursing schools under board supervision; amend KRS 314.121 to increase board membership from 15 to 16 by adding one ARNP member; increase quorum from 8 to 9; require LPN board members to be currently engaged in nursing practice; amend KRS 314.131 to permit board to elect all officers it deems necessary, in addition to the president, and to approve nursing programs; increase board member per diem to $150 from $100; permit board to reimburse members of subcommittees or task forces for expenses even if those persons are not board members; amend KRS 314.181, relating to determination of death by registered nurse, to more specifically refer to registered nurse who is employed by ambulance service; repeal KRS 314.074; require initial ARNP member to be appointed by August 15, 2000.

     Feb 14-introduced in House
     Feb 15-to Health and Welfare (H)
     Feb 22-posted in committee
     Feb 29-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar
     Mar 1-2nd reading, to Rules
     Mar 6-floor amendment (1) filed
     Mar 7-posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Wednesday, March 8, 2000
     Mar 9-3rd reading, passed 95-0
     Mar 10-received in Senate
     Mar 14-to Licensing and Occupations (S)
     Mar 21-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar with Committee Substitute, committee amendment (1-title)
     Mar 22-2nd reading, to Rules
     Mar 24-posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Friday, March 24, 2000
     Mar 27-3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute, committee amendment (1-title)
     Mar 28-received in House; posted for passage for concurrence in Senate Committee Substitute, committee amendment (1-title) ; House concurred in Senate Committee Substitute, committee amendment (1-title) ; passed 92-0
     Mar 29-enrolled, signed by each presiding officer, delivered to Governor
     Apr 7-signed by Governor (Acts ch. 391)