Bill > LB554

This bill creates the Nebraska Health Professions Commission (NHPC), a new body responsible for reviewing applications and conducting directed reviews of health profession regulations and credentialing. The commission will be co-chaired by representatives from public health and research institutions, and will include members from the Department of Health and Human Services, State Board of Health, and up to seven additional members. The commission's key responsibilities include evaluating proposals for new health profession regulations or scope of practice changes, collecting and analyzing data on workforce trends and public health impacts, holding public hearings, and submitting annual electronic reports to legislative leadership. The bill eliminates previous technical committees and establishes a more structured process for reviewing health profession regulations, with a focus on transparency, public input, and comprehensive analysis of potential impacts. The Legislature intends to appropriate $300,000 annually to support the commission's activities, including $100,000 for data collection through the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Importantly, the commission will serve in an advisory and investigative capacity, with actual implementation of regulatory changes remaining with existing state licensing authorities. Commission members will be prohibited from voting on matters directly affecting their own professional groups to ensure impartiality.

Health and Social Services

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59555