SB200 Alabama 2024 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes KitchensSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2024

Title

Board of Nursing, membership revised to include a certified registered nurse anesthetist

Summary

SB200 would add a certified registered nurse anesthetist as a member of Alabama's Board of Nursing and update the board language.

What This Bill Does

The bill changes the Board of Nursing’s membership to include a CRNA who is approved to practice advanced nursing. It maintains the overall 13-member board with seven licensed professional nurses (including one advanced practice nurse), four licensed practical nurses, one consumer, and adds one CRNA as an additional advanced practice nursing representation. It also performs non-substantive editorial updates to current code language and sets an effective date in fall 2024.

Who It Affects

• Registered professional nurses (RNs) in Alabama, who gain an additional advanced practice nurse representation on the board and will be part of the revised RN/APN composition.
• Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in Alabama, who would obtain a designated seat on the Board of Nursing.
• Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Alabama, who continue to have four seats on the board.
• Consumers in Alabama, who retain one consumer representative on the board.
• Nursing organizations (e.g., Alabama State Nurses Association, Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Licensed Practical Nurses Association of Alabama, Alabama Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses), which nominate members for the board.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 34-21-2 to revise board membership by adding a certified registered nurse anesthetist as a board member who is approved to engage in advanced practice nursing.
• Keeps the overall board size at 13 members and specifies the distribution: seven licensed professional nurses (including one APN), one CRNA, four licensed practical nurses, and one consumer.
• Outlines nomination and appointment processes for each seat, including lists from professional associations with at least twice the number of nominees required, and initial/annual terms starting January 1, 2026 for the CRNA seat.
• Establishes qualifications for RN and LPN board members (US citizen, Alabama resident, state-approved nursing education, current Alabama license, at least five years of nursing experience, and active nursing involvement).
• Creates two advanced practice nurse positions on the board and details terms for those APN seats.
• Maintains board authority and duties (standards, licensure, program approval, investigations, rulemaking, etc.) and includes immunity for board members.
• Adds an executive officer for the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact and sets related governance structure and funding provisions.
• Provides for Sunset Committee review of Alabama’s participation in the nurse licensure compact, with initial review in 2024 and ongoing evaluation tied to specific triggers.
• Effective date: October 1, 2024.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Occupational Licensing Boards