SB 46

This bill would authorize a certified registered nurse practitioner, a certified nurse midwife, and a physician assistant to have signature authority for medical forms within the scope of practice of the health care professional

To authorize certified registered nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and physician assistants to have signature authority to sign health care forms and documents within the scope of practice of the health care professional.

Section 1

(a) When a provision of any law or rule requires a signature, certification, stamp, verification, affidavit, or endorsement by a physician the document shall be deemed to include a signature, certification, stamp, verification, affidavit, or endorsement by a certified registered nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or physician assistant. This section applies to any forms or certifications signed by a certified registered nurse practitioner, a certified nurse midwife, or a physician assistant within the scope of his or her practice, including, but not limited to, all of the following types of forms and certifications: (1) Certification of disability for patients to receive disabled parking tags or placards. (2) A signature required for any of the following: a. Documents that require a complete history and physical examination consistent with the examining provider's scope of practice and certification including, but not limited to any of the following: 1. Physicals for bus drivers in this state. 2. Physicals to verify eligibility for students to participate in the Special Olympics. 3. Employment and pre-employment physicals for Transportation Security Agency (TSA) employees at an airport or for governmental employees such as firefighters and law enforcement officers. 4. Adoptive parent applications. 5. College or trade school physicals. 6. Boy Scout or Girl Scout physicals or physical required by similar organizations. 7. Other forms as deemed appropriate by the Joint Committee of the Alabama Board of Nursing and the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners. b. Forms relating to do not resuscitate orders. c. Forms excusing a potential jury member due to an illness. d. Birth certificates. e. Workers' compensation forms. f. Forms relating to absenteeism for employment or school purposes, including, but not limited to, documents associated with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act. g. Authorizations for durable medical equipment. h. Authorizations for diabetic supplies including, but not limited to, shoes. i. Home health recertification orders. j. Any and all forms for the ordering of medications, nutritional supplements, or infant formulas, or referrals to providers of medical specialties, home health services, and physical or occupation therapy within the state Medicaid system. k. In the case of a death certificate, one of the two signatures required for a death certificate. l. Forms, including physical examination forms, needed for certifications in residential or inpatient dwellings within the Department of Mental Health. m. Forms for ambulance transport. n. Forms for donor breast milk. o. Required documentation allowing a diabetic to renew or obtain a driver's license. p. Forms related to assessments in skilled nursing facilities for admission and recertification to the extent allowed by the law. (b) This section shall not be construed to expand the scope of practice for any certified registered nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, or physician assistant.

Section 2

All laws or parts of laws which conflict with this act are repealed.

Section 3

This act shall become effective immediately following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.