Bill Text: PA SB463 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Establishing the Nurses Health Program; and making an allocation.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 6-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-09 - Referred to CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE [SB463 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2011-SB463-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 452
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 463 Session of2011
INTRODUCED BY BROWNE, ERICKSON, RAFFERTY, M. WHITE, WAUGH, VANCE AND LEACH, FEBRUARY 9, 2011
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE, FEBRUARY 9, 2011
AN ACT
Amending the act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), entitled, as
amended, "An act relating to the practice of professional
nursing; providing for the licensing of nurses and for the
revocation and suspension of such licenses, subject to
appeal, and for their reinstatement; providing for the
renewal of such licenses; regulating nursing in general;
prescribing penalties and repealing certain laws,"
establishing the Nurses Health Program; and making an
allocation.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of May 22, 1951 (P.L.317, No.69), known
as The Professional Nursing Law, is amended by adding a section
to read:
Section 14.2. Nurses Health Program.--(a) The Board, in
conjunction with the Professional Health Monitoring Program
within the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs,
shall establish a Statewide peer assistance program to be known
as the Nurses Health Program, for registered nurses and licensed
practical nurses, which will identify, assist and monitor nurses
experiencing mental health, alcohol and drug problems which may
impair their ability to practice, so that they may return or
continue to practice safe nursing. The Nurses Health Program
shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, a voluntary
program for nurses who, by reason of mental or physical illness,
use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics, chemicals or other type of
material, are at risk for being unable to practice their
profession with reasonable skill and attention to the safety of
patients, with the goal of getting the licensee into treatment
and monitoring the licensee's recovery.
(b) The Board shall enter into a memorandum of understanding
with an independent contractor to administer the Nurses Health
Program. The memorandum of understanding shall include program
eligibility criteria and reporting information.
(c) The Board and the Bureau of Professional and
Occupational Affairs through the Professional Health Monitoring
Program and the contractor shall coordinate their activities
regarding impaired professionals in order to facilitate
performance of the disciplinary role of the Board and the bureau
with the rehabilitative role of the contractor and to avoid
duplication of effort and misunderstandings to the extent
possible in cases of simultaneous involvement. The contractor
shall be experienced in the identification, treatment and
rehabilitation of persons with physical or mental impairments
and shall utilize registered nurses to provide the peer
assistance services.
(d) An annual report on the activities of the Nurses Health
Program shall be made to the Board.
Section 2. The State Board of Nursing, in conjunction with
the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs, shall
determine the cost to be allocated from the State Board of
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Nursing annual fees for payment of the Nurse Health Program,
including the voluntary program.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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