Bill > H2002

This bill enacts the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) into Massachusetts law, which is an agreement among participating states, known as "party states," to allow nurses to have one multistate license, issued by their primary state of residence (the "home state"), that allows them to practice in other party states. The NLC aims to improve public access to nursing care, enable faster deployment of nurses during emergencies, and streamline the licensing process by creating a coordinated system for sharing information on nurse licensure and disciplinary actions among party states through a "coordinated licensure information system." This means a nurse licensed in one party state can practice in another party state without needing a separate license from each state, provided they meet the home state's qualifications and comply with the practice laws of the state where the patient is located. The bill also outlines procedures for reporting and taking "adverse actions," which are disciplinary measures against a nurse's license, and establishes that while the home state is primarily responsible for taking adverse action against a nurse's license, other party states can take action against a nurse's privilege to practice within their borders. The bill specifies that the executive director of the board of registration in nursing will serve as the Compact administrator for Massachusetts and allows the board to adopt necessary regulations and recover investigation costs from nurses facing disciplinary action, with funds deposited into a specific trust fund. The NLC will become effective one year after the bill's enactment, and the secretary of administration and finance is authorized to increase licensing fees to cover implementation costs.