MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representatives Currie, Arnold, Dixon, Gibbs (72nd)
AN ACT TO CREATE SECTIONS 73-15-201 AND 73-15-202, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ENACT INTO THE LAW THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT AND PROVIDE THAT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI ENTERS THE COMPACT WITH OTHER STATES THAT JOIN IN THE COMPACT; TO AMEND SECTION 73-15-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE DEFINITION OF "PRIVILEGE TO PRACTICE" IN THE NURSING PRACTICE LAW TO CONFORM TO THE NEW NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT; TO AMEND SECTION 73-15-17, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF NURSING TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS OF THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 73-15-22 AND 73-15-23, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH IS THE FORMER NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 73-15-201, Mississippi Code of 1972:
73-15-201. The Nurse Licensure Compact is enacted into law and entered into by this state with any and all states legally joining in the compact in accordance with its term, in the form substantially as follows:
ARTICLE I.
Findings and declaration of purpose.
(a) The party states find that:
1. The health and safety of the public are affected by the degree of compliance with and the effectiveness of enforcement activities related to state nurse licensure laws;
2. Violations of nurse licensure and other laws regulating the practice of nursing may result in injury or harm to the public;
3. The expanded mobility of nurses and the use of advanced communication technologies as part of our nation's health care delivery system require greater coordination and cooperation among states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation;
4. New practice modalities and technology make compliance with individual state nurse licensure laws difficult and complex;
5. The current system of duplicative licensure for nurses practicing in multiple states is cumbersome and redundant for both nurses and states; and
6. Uniformity of nurse licensure requirements throughout the states promotes public safety and public health benefits.
(b) The general purposes of this compact are to:
1. Facilitate the states' responsibility to protect the public's health and safety;
2. Ensure and encourage the cooperation of party states in the areas of nurse licensure and regulation;
3. Facilitate the exchange of information between party states in the areas of nurse regulation, investigation and adverse actions;
4. Promote compliance with the laws governing the practice of nursing in each jurisdiction;
5. Invest all party states with the authority to hold a nurse accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the state in which the patient is located at the time care is rendered through the mutual recognition of party state licenses;
6. Decrease redundancies in the consideration and issuance of nurse licenses; and
7. Provide opportunities for interstate practice by nurses who meet uniform licensure requirements.
ARTICLE II.
Definitions.
As used in this compact:
(a) "Adverse action" means any administrative, civil, equitable or criminal action permitted by a state's laws which is imposed by a licensing board or other authority against a
nurse, including actions against an individual's license or multistate licensure privilege such as revocation, suspension, probation, monitoring of the licensee, limitation on the licensee's practice, or any other encumbrance on licensure affecting a nurse's authorization to practice, including issuance of a cease and desist action.
(b) "Alternative program" means a nondisciplinary monitoring program approved by a licensing board.
(c) "Coordinated licensure information system" means an integrated process for collecting, storing and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement activities related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit organization composed of and controlled by licensing boards.
(d) "Current significant investigative information" means:
1. Investigative information that a licensing board, after a preliminary inquiry that includes notification and an opportunity for the nurse to respond, if required by state law, has reason to believe is not groundless and, if proved true, would indicate more than a minor infraction; or
2. Investigative information that indicates that the nurse represents an immediate threat to public health and safety regardless of whether the nurse has been notified and had an opportunity to respond.
(e) "Encumbrance" means a revocation or suspension of, or any limitation on, the full and unrestricted practice of nursing imposed by a licensing board.
(f) "Home state" means the party state which is the nurse's primary state of residence.
(g) "Licensing board" means a party state's regulatory body responsible for issuing nurse licenses.
(h) "Multistate license" means a license to practice as a registered or a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN) issued by a home state licensing board that authorizes the licensed nurse to practice in all party states under a multistate licensure privilege.
(i) "Multistate licensure privilege" means a legal authorization associated with a multistate license permitting the practice of nursing as either a registered nurse (RN) or LPN/VN in a remote state.
(j) "Nurse" means RN or LPN/VN, as those terms are defined by each party state's practice laws.
(k) "Party state" means any state that has adopted this compact.
(l) "Remote state" means a party state, other than the home state.
(m) "Single-state license" means a nurse license issued by a party state that authorizes practice only within the issuing state and does not include a multistate licensure privilege to practice in any other party state.
(n) "State" means a state, territory or possession of the United States and the District of Columbia.
(o) "State practice laws" means a party state's laws, rules and regulations that govern the practice of nursing, define the scope of nursing practice, and create the methods and grounds for imposing discipline. "State practice laws" do not include requirements necessary to obtain and retain a license, except for qualifications or requirements of the home state.
ARTICLE III.
General provisions and jurisdiction.
(a) A multistate license to practice registered or licensed practical/vocational nursing issued by a home state to a resident in that state will be recognized by each party state as authorizing a nurse to practice as a registered nurse (RN) or as a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN), under a multistate licensure privilege, in each party state.
(b) A state must implement procedures for considering the criminal history records of applicants for initial multistate license or licensure by endorsement. Such procedures shall include the submission of fingerprints or other biometric-based information by applicants for the purpose of obtaining an applicant's criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records.
(c) Each party state shall require the following for an applicant to obtain or retain a multistate license in the home state:
1. Meets the home state's qualifications for licensure or renewal of licensure, as well as, all other applicable state laws;
2. (i) Has graduated or is eligible to graduate from a licensing board-approved RN or LPN/VN prelicensure education program; or
(ii) Has graduated from a foreign RN or LPN/VN prelicensure education program that (a) has been approved by the authorized accrediting body in the applicable country and (b) has been verified by an independent credentials review agency to be comparable to a licensing board-approved prelicensure education program;
3. Has, if a graduate of a foreign prelicensure education program not taught in English or if English is not the individual's native language, successfully passed an English proficiency examination that includes the components of reading, speaking, writing and listening;
4. Has successfully passed a National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RNŽ) or National Council Licensure Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PNŽ) Examination or recognized predecessor, as applicable;
5. Is eligible for or holds an active, unencumbered license;
6. Has submitted, in connection with an application for initial licensure or licensure by endorsement, fingerprints or other biometric data for the purpose of obtaining criminal history record information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the agency responsible for retaining that state's criminal records;
7. Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a felony offense under applicable state or federal criminal law;
8. Has not been convicted or found guilty, or has entered into an agreed disposition, of a misdemeanor offense related to the practice of nursing as determined on a case-by-case basis;
9. Is not currently enrolled in an alternative program;
10. Is subject to self-disclosure requirements regarding current participation in an alternative program; and
11. Has a valid United States social security number.
(d) All party states shall be authorized, in accordance with existing state due process law, to take adverse action against a nurse's multistate licensure privilege such as revocation, suspension, probation or any other action that affects a nurse's authorization to practice under a multistate licensure privilege, including cease and desist actions. If a party state takes such action, it shall promptly notify the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the home state of any such actions by remote states.
(e) A nurse practicing in a party state must comply with the state practice laws of the state in which the client is located at the time service is provided. The practice of nursing is not limited to patient care, but shall include all nursing practice as defined by the state practice laws of the party state in which the client is located. The practice of nursing in a party state under a multistate licensure privilege will subject a nurse to the jurisdiction of the licensing board, the courts and the laws of the party state in which the client is located at the time service is provided.
(f) Individuals not residing in a party state shall continue to be able to apply for a party state's single-state license as provided under the laws of each party state. However, the single-state license granted to these individuals will not be recognized as granting the privilege to practice nursing in any other party state. Nothing in this compact shall affect the requirements established by a party state for the issuance of a single-state license.
(g) Any nurse holding a home state multistate license, on the effective date of this compact, may retain and renew the multistate license issued by the nurse's then-current home state, provided that:
1. A nurse, who changes primary state of residence after this compact's effective date, must meet all applicable Article III(c) requirements to obtain a multistate license from a new home state.
2. A nurse who fails to satisfy the multistate licensure requirements in subsection(c) of this article due to a disqualifying event occurring after this compact's effective date shall be ineligible to retain or renew a multistate license, and the nurse's multistate license shall be revoked or deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators ("commission").
ARTICLE IV.
Applications for licensure in a party state.
(a) Upon application for a multistate license, the licensing board in the issuing party state shall ascertain, through the coordinated licensure information system, whether the applicant has ever held, or is the holder of, a license issued by any other state, whether there are any encumbrances on any license or multistate licensure privilege held by the applicant, whether any adverse action has been taken against any license or multistate licensure privilege held by the applicant and whether the applicant is currently participating in an alternative program.
(b) A nurse may hold a multistate license, issued by the home state, in only one (1) party state at a time.
(c) If a nurse changes primary state of residence by moving between two (2) party states, the nurse must apply for licensure in the new home state, and the multistate license issued by the prior home state will be deactivated in accordance with applicable rules adopted by the commission.
1. The nurse may apply for licensure in advance of a change in primary state of residence.
2. A multistate license shall not be issued by the new home state until the nurse provides satisfactory evidence of a change in primary state of residence to the new home state and satisfies all applicable requirements to obtain a multistate license from the new home state.
(d) If a nurse changes primary state of residence by moving from a party state to a nonparty state, the multistate license issued by the prior home state will convert to a single-state license, valid only in the former home state.
ARTICLE V.
Additional authorities invested in party state licensing boards.
(a) In addition to the other powers conferred by state law, a licensing board shall have the authority to:
1. Take adverse action against a nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice within that party state.
(i) Only the home state shall have the power to take adverse action against a nurse's license issued by the home state.
(ii) For purposes of taking adverse action, the home state licensing board shall give the same priority and effect to reported conduct received from a remote state as it would if such conduct had occurred within the home state.
In so doing, the home state shall apply its own state laws to determine appropriate action.
2. Issue cease and desist orders or impose an encumbrance on a nurse's authority to practice within that party state.
3. Complete any pending investigations of a nurse who changes primary state of residence during the course of such investigations. The licensing board shall also have the authority to take appropriate action(s) and shall promptly report the conclusions of such investigations to the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system. The administrator of the coordinated licensure information system shall promptly notify the new home state of any such actions.
4. Issue subpoenas for both hearings and investigations that require the attendance and testimony of witnesses, as well as, the production of evidence.
Subpoenas issued by a licensing board in a party state for the attendance and testimony of witnesses or the production of evidence from another party state shall be enforced in the latter state by any court of competent jurisdiction, according to the practice and procedure of that court applicable to subpoenas issued in proceedings pending before it. The issuing authority shall pay any witness fees, travel expenses, mileage and other fees required by the service statutes of the state in which the witnesses or evidence are located.
5. Obtain and submit, for each nurse licensure applicant, fingerprint or other biometric-based information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for criminal background checks, receive the results of the Federal Bureau of Investigation record search on criminal background checks and use the results in making licensure decisions.
6. If otherwise permitted by state law, recover from the affected nurse the costs of investigations and disposition of cases resulting from any adverse action taken against that nurse.
7. Take adverse action based on the factual findings of the remote state, provided that the licensing board follows its own procedures for taking such adverse action.
(b) If adverse action is taken by the home state against a nurse's multistate license, the nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice in all other party states shall be deactivated until all encumbrances have been removed from the multistate license. All home state disciplinary orders that impose adverse action against a nurse's multistate license shall include a statement that the nurse's multistate licensure privilege is deactivated in all party states during the pendency of the order.
(c) Nothing in this compact shall override a party state's decision that participation in an alternative program may be used in lieu of adverse action. The home state licensing board shall deactivate the multistate licensure privilege under the multistate license of any nurse for the duration of the nurse's participation in an alternative program.
ARTICLE VI.
Coordinated licensure information system and exchange of information.
(a) All party states shall participate in a coordinated licensure information system of all licensed registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/VNs). This system will include information on the licensure and disciplinary history of each nurse, as submitted by party states, to assist in the coordination of nurse licensure and enforcement efforts.
(b) The commission, in consultation with the administrator of the coordinated licensure information system, shall formulate necessary and proper procedures for the identification, collection and exchange of information under this compact.
(c) All licensing boards shall promptly report to the coordinated licensure information system any adverse action, any current significant investigative information, denials of applications (with the reasons for such denials) and nurse participation in alternative programs known to the licensing board regardless of whether such participation is deemed nonpublic or confidential under state law.
(d) Current significant investigative information and participation in nonpublic or confidential alternative programs shall be transmitted through the coordinated licensure information system only to party state licensing boards.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all party state licensing boards contributing information to the coordinated licensure information system may designate information that may not be shared with nonparty states or disclosed to other entities or individuals without the express permission of the contributing state.
(f) Any personally identifiable information obtained from the coordinated licensure information system by a party state licensing board shall not be shared with nonparty states or disclosed to other entities or individuals except to the extent permitted by the laws of the party state contributing the information.
(g) Any information contributed to the coordinated licensure information system that is subsequently required to be expunged by the laws of the party state contributing that information shall also be expunged from the coordinated licensure information system.
(h) The compact administrator of each party state shall furnish a uniform data set to the compact administrator of each other party state, which shall include, at a minimum:
1. Identifying information;
2. Licensure data;
3. Information related to alternative program participation; and
4. Other information that may facilitate the administration of this compact, as determined by commission rules.
(i) The compact administrator of a party state shall provide all investigative documents and information requested by another party state.
ARTICLE VII.
Establishment of the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure.
Compact administrators.
(a) The party states hereby create and establish a joint public entity known as the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators.
1. The commission is an instrumentality of the party states.
2. Venue is proper, and judicial proceedings by or against the commission shall be brought solely and exclusively, in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and
jurisdictional defenses to the extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
3. Nothing in this compact shall be construed to be a waiver of sovereign immunity.
(b) Membership, voting and meetings.
1. Each party state shall have and be limited to one (1) administrator. The head of the state licensing board or designee shall be the administrator of this compact for each party state. Any administrator may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state from which the administrator is appointed. Any vacancy occurring in the commission shall be filled in accordance with the laws of the party state in which the vacancy exists.
2. Each administrator shall be entitled to one (1) vote with regard to the promulgation of rules and creation of bylaws and shall otherwise have an opportunity to participate in the business and affairs of the commission. An administrator shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws. The bylaws may provide for an administrator's participation in meetings by telephone or other means of communication.
3. The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year.
Additional meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws or rules of the commission.
4. All meetings shall be open to the public, and public notice of meetings shall be given in the same manner as required under the rulemaking provisions in Article VIII.
5. The commission may convene in a closed, nonpublic meeting if the commission must discuss:
(i) Noncompliance of a party state with its obligations under this compact;
(ii) The employment, compensation, discipline or other personnel matters, practices or procedures related to specific employees or other matters related to the commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;
(iii) Current, threatened or reasonably anticipated litigation;
(iv) Negotiation of contracts for the purchase or sale of goods, services or real estate;
(v) Accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person;
(vi) Disclosure of trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential;
(vii) Disclosure of information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
(viii) Disclosure of investigatory records compiled for law enforcement purposes;
(ix) Disclosure of information related to any reports prepared by or on behalf of the commission for the purpose of investigation of compliance with this compact; or
(x) Matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal or state statute.
6. If a meeting, or portion of a meeting, is closed pursuant to this provision, the commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exempting provision. The commission shall keep minutes that fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefor, including a description of the views expressed. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the commission or order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) The commission shall, by a majority vote of the administrators, prescribe bylaws or rules to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and exercise the powers of this compact, including, but not limited to:
1. Establishing the fiscal year of the commission;
2. Providing reasonable standards and procedures:
(i) For the establishment and meetings of other committees; and
(ii) Governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or function of the commission;
3. Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the commission, ensuring reasonable advance notice of all meetings and providing an opportunity for attendance of such meetings by interested parties, with enumerated exceptions designed to protect the public's interest, the privacy of individuals, and proprietary information, including trade secrets. The commission may meet in closed session only after a majority of the administrators vote to close a meeting in whole or in part. As soon as practicable, the commission must make public a copy of the vote to close the meeting revealing the vote of each administrator, with no proxy votes allowed;
4. Establishing the titles, duties and authority and reasonable procedures for the election of the officers of the commission;
5. Providing reasonable standards and procedures for the establishment of the personnel policies and programs of the commission. Notwithstanding any civil service or other similar laws of any party state, the bylaws shall exclusively govern the personnel policies and programs of the commission; and
6. Providing a mechanism for winding up the operations of the commission and the equitable disposition of any surplus funds that may exist after the termination of this compact after the payment or reserving of all of its debts and obligations;
(d) The commission shall publish its bylaws and rules, and any amendments thereto, in a convenient form on the website of the commission.
(e) The commission shall maintain its financial records in accordance with the bylaws.
(f) The commission shall meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions of this compact and the bylaws.
(g) The commission shall have the following powers:
1. To promulgate uniform rules to facilitate and coordinate implementation and administration of this compact. The rules shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding in all party states;
2. To bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission, provided that the standing of any licensing board to sue or be sued under applicable law shall not be affected;
3. To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
4. To borrow, accept or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to, employees of a party state or nonprofit organizations;
5. To cooperate with other organizations that administer state compacts related to the regulation of nursing, including, but not limited to, sharing administrative or staff expenses, office space or other resources;
6. To hire employees, elect or appoint officers, fix compensation, define duties, grant such individuals appropriate authority to carry out the purposes of this compact, and to establish the commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, qualifications of personnel and other related personnel matters;
7. To accept any and all appropriate donations, grants and gifts of money, equipment, supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize and dispose of the same; provided that at all times the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety or conflict of interest;
8. To lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve or use, any property, whether real, personal or mixed; provided that at all times the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety;
9. To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon or otherwise dispose of any property, whether real, personal or mixed;
10. To establish a budget and make expenditures;
11. To borrow money;
12. To appoint committees, including advisory committees comprised of administrators, state nursing regulators, state legislators or their representatives, and consumer representatives, and other such interested persons;
13. To provide and receive information from, and to cooperate with, law enforcement agencies;
14. To adopt and use an official seal; and
15. To perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of this compact consistent with the state regulation of nurse licensure and practice.
(h) Financing of the commission.
1. The commission shall pay, or provide for the payment of, the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization and ongoing activities.
2. The commission may also levy on and collect an annual assessment from each party state to cover the cost of its operations, activities and staff in its annual budget as approved each year. The aggregate annual assessment amount, if any, shall be allocated based upon a formula to be determined by the commission, which shall promulgate a rule that is binding upon all party states.
3. The commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the commission pledge the credit of any of the party states, except by, and with the authority of, such party state.
4. The commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the commission.
(i) Qualified immunity, defense and indemnification.
1. The administrators, officers, executive director, employees and representatives of the commission shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to protect any such person from suit or liability for any damage, loss, injury or liability caused by the intentional, willful or wanton misconduct of that person.
2. The commission shall defend any administrator, officer, executive director, employee or representative of the commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties or responsibilities; provided that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her own counsel; and provided further that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result from that person's intentional, willful or wanton misconduct.
3. The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any administrator, officer, executive director, employee or representative of the commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result from the intentional, willful or wanton misconduct of that person.
ARTICLE VIII.
Rulemaking.
(a) The commission shall exercise its rulemaking powers pursuant to the criteria set forth in this article and the rules adopted thereunder. Rules and amendments shall become binding as of the date specified in each rule or amendment and shall have the same force and effect as provisions of this compact.
(b) Rules or amendments to the rules shall be adopted at a regular or special meeting of the commission.
(c) Prior to promulgation and adoption of a final rule or rules by the commission, and at least sixty (60) days in advance of the meeting at which the rule will be considered and voted upon, the commission shall file a notice of proposed rulemaking:
1. On the website of the commission; and
2. On the website of each licensing board or the publication in which each state would otherwise publish proposed rules.
(d) The notice of proposed rulemaking shall include:
1. The proposed time, date and location of the meeting in which the rule will be considered and voted upon;
2. The text of the proposed rule or amendment, and the reason for the proposed rule;
3. A request for comments on the proposed rule from any interested person; and
4. The manner in which interested persons may submit notice to the commission of their intention to attend the public hearing and any written comments.
(e) Prior to adoption of a proposed rule, the commission shall allow persons to submit written data, facts, opinions and arguments, which shall be made available to the public.
(f) The commission shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before it adopts a rule or amendment.
(g) The commission shall publish the place, time and date of the scheduled public hearing.
1. Hearings shall be conducted in a manner providing each person who wishes to comment a fair and reasonable opportunity to comment orally or in writing.
All hearings will be recorded, and a copy will be made available upon request.
2. Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a separate hearing on each rule. Rules may be grouped for the convenience of the commission at hearings required by this section.
(h) If no one appears at the public hearing, the commission may proceed with promulgation of the proposed rule.
(i) Following the scheduled hearing date, or by the close of business on the scheduled hearing date if the hearing was not held, the commission shall consider all written and oral comments received.
(j) The commission shall, by majority vote of all administrators, take final action on the proposed rule and shall determine the effective date of the rule, if any, based on the rulemaking record and the full text of the rule.
(k) Upon determination that an emergency exists, the commission may consider and adopt an emergency rule without prior notice, opportunity for comment or hearing, provided that the usual rulemaking procedures provided in this compact and in this section shall be retroactively applied to the rule as soon as reasonably possible, in no event later than ninety (90) days after the effective date of the rule. For the purposes of this provision, an emergency rule is one that must be adopted immediately in order to:
1. Meet an imminent threat to public health, safety or welfare;
2. Prevent a loss of commission or party state funds; or
3. Meet a deadline for the promulgation of an administrative rule that is required by federal law or rule.
(l) The commission may direct revisions to a previously adopted rule or amendment for purposes of correcting typographical errors, errors in format, errors in consistency or grammatical errors. Public notice of any revisions shall be posted on the website of the commission. The revision shall be subject to challenge by any person for a period of thirty (30) days after posting. The revision may be challenged only on grounds that the revision results in a material change to a rule. A challenge shall be made in writing, and delivered to the commission, prior to the end of the notice period. If no challenge is made, the revision will take effect without further action. If the revision is challenged, the revision may not take effect without the approval of the commission.
ARTICLE IX.
Oversight, dispute resolution and enforcement.
(a) Oversight:
1. Each party state shall enforce this compact and take all actions necessary and appropriate to effectuate this compact's purposes and intent.
2. The commission shall be entitled to receive service of process in any proceeding that may affect the powers, responsibilities or actions of the commission, and shall have standing to intervene in such a proceeding for all purposes. Failure to provide service of process in such proceeding to the commission shall render a judgment or order void as to the commission, this compact or promulgated rules.
(b) Default, technical assistance and termination:
1. If the commission determines that a party state has defaulted in the performance of its obligations or responsibilities under this compact or the promulgated rules, the commission shall:
(i) Provide written notice to the defaulting state and other party states of the nature of the default, the proposed means of curing the default or any other action to be taken by the commission; and
(ii) Provide remedial training and specific technical assistance regarding the default.
2. If a state in default fails to cure the default, the defaulting state's membership in this compact may be terminated upon an affirmative vote of a majority of the administrators, and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this compact may be terminated on the effective date of termination. A cure of the default does not relieve the offending state of obligations or liabilities incurred during the period of default.
3. Termination of membership in this compact shall be imposed only after all other means of securing compliance have been exhausted. Notice of intent to suspend or terminate shall be given by the commission to the Governor of the defaulting state and to the executive officer of the defaulting state's licensing board and each of the party states.
4. A state whose membership in this compact has been terminated is responsible for all assessments, obligations and liabilities incurred through the effective date of termination, including obligations that extend beyond the effective date of termination.
5. The commission shall not bear any costs related to a state that is found to be in default or whose membership in this compact has been terminated unless agreed upon in writing between the commission and the defaulting state.
6. The defaulting state may appeal the action of the commission by petitioning the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in which the commission has its principal offices. The prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
(c) Dispute resolution:
1. Upon request by a party state, the commission shall attempt to resolve disputes related to the compact that arise among party states and between party and nonparty states.
2. The commission shall promulgate a rule providing for both mediation and binding dispute resolution for disputes, as appropriate.
3. In the event the commission cannot resolve disputes among party states arising under this compact:
(i) The party states may submit the issues in dispute to an arbitration panel, which will be comprised of individuals appointed by the compact administrator in each of the affected party states and an individual mutually agreed upon by the compact administrators of all the party states involved in the dispute.
(ii) The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding.
(d) Enforcement:
1. The commission, in the reasonable exercise of its discretion, shall enforce the provisions and rules of this compact.
2. By majority vote, the commission may initiate legal action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia or the federal district in which the commission has its principal offices against a party state that is in default to enforce compliance with the provisions of this compact and its promulgated rules and bylaws.
The relief sought may include both injunctive relief and damages. In the event judicial enforcement is necessary, the prevailing party shall be awarded all costs of such litigation, including reasonable attorneys' fees.
3. The remedies herein shall not be the exclusive remedies of the commission. The commission may pursue any other remedies available under federal or state law.
ARTICLE X.
Effective date, withdrawal and amendment.
(a) This compact shall become effective and binding on the earlier of the date of legislative enactment of this compact into law by no less than twenty-six (26) states or December 31, 2018. All party states to this compact, that also were parties to the prior Nurse Licensure Compact, superseded by this compact, ("prior compact"), shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the prior compact within six (6) months after the effective date of this compact.
(b) Each party state to this compact shall continue to recognize a nurse's multistate licensure privilege to practice in that party state issued under the prior compact until such party state has withdrawn from the prior compact.
(c) Any party state may withdraw from this compact by enacting a statute repealing the same. A party state's withdrawal shall not take effect until six (6) months after enactment of the repealing statute.
(d) A party state's withdrawal or termination shall not affect the continuing requirement of the withdrawing or terminated state's licensing board to report adverse actions and significant investigations occurring prior to the effective date of such withdrawal or termination.
(e) Nothing contained in this compact shall be construed to invalidate or prevent any nurse licensure agreement or other cooperative arrangement between a party state and a nonparty state that is made in accordance with the other provisions of this compact.
(f) This compact may be amended by the party states. No amendment to this compact shall become effective and binding upon the party states unless and until it is enacted into the laws of all party states.
(g) Representatives of nonparty states to this compact shall be invited to participate in the activities of the commission, on a nonvoting basis, prior to the adoption of this compact by all states.
ARTICLE XI.
Construction and severability.
This compact shall be liberally construed so as to effectuate the purposes thereof.
The provisions of this compact shall be severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence or provision of this compact is declared to be contrary to the Constitution of any party state or of the United States, or if the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this compact and the applicability thereof to any government, agency, person or circumstance shall not be affected thereby. If this compact shall be held to be contrary to the Constitution of any party state, this compact shall remain in full force and effect as to the remaining party states and in full force and effect as to the party state affected as to all severable matters.
SECTION 2. The following shall be codified as Section 73-15-202, Mississippi Code of 1972:
73-15-202. The term "head of the state licensing board" as used to define the compact administrator in Article VII(b)(1) of the Nurse Licensure Compact shall mean the Executive Director of the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
SECTION 3. Section 73-15-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
73-15-5. (1) "Board" means the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
(2) The "practice of nursing" by a registered nurse means the performance for compensation of services which requires substantial knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences and of nursing theory as the basis for assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation in the promotion and maintenance of health; management of individuals' responses to illness, injury or infirmity; the restoration of optimum function; or the achievement of a dignified death. "Nursing practice" includes, but is not limited to, administration, teaching, counseling, delegation and supervision of nursing, and execution of the medical regimen, including the administration of medications and treatments prescribed by any licensed or legally authorized physician or dentist. The foregoing shall not be deemed to include acts of medical diagnosis or prescriptions of medical, therapeutic or corrective measures, except as may be set forth by rules and regulations promulgated and implemented by the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
(3) "Clinical nurse specialist practice" by a certified clinical nurse specialist means the delivery of advanced practice nursing care to individuals or groups using advanced diagnostic and assessment skills to manage and improve the health status of individuals and families; diagnose human responses to actual or potential health problems; plan for health promotion, disease prevention, and therapeutic intervention in collaboration with the patient or client; implement therapeutic interventions based on the nurse specialist's area of expertise and within the scope of advanced nursing practice, including, but not limited to, direct patient care, counseling, teaching, collaboration with other licensed health care providers; and, coordination of health care as necessary and appropriate and evaluation of the effectiveness of care.
(4) "Advanced nursing practice" means, in addition to the practice of professional nursing, the performance of advanced-level nursing approved by the board which, by virtue of graduate education and experience are appropriately performed by an advanced practice registered nurse. The advanced practice registered nurse may diagnose, treat and manage medical conditions. This may include prescriptive authority as identified by the board. Advanced practice registered nurses must practice in a collaborative/consultative relationship with a physician or dentist with an unrestricted license to practice in the State of Mississippi and advanced nursing must be performed within the framework of a standing protocol or practice guidelines, as appropriate.
(5) The "practice of nursing" by a licensed practical nurse means the performance for compensation of services requiring basic knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral, psychological and sociological sciences and of nursing procedures which do not require the substantial skill, judgment and knowledge required of a registered nurse. These services are performed under the direction of a registered nurse or a licensed physician or licensed dentist and utilize standardized procedures in the observation and care of the ill, injured and infirm; in the maintenance of health; in action to safeguard life and health; and in the administration of medications and treatments prescribed by any licensed physician or licensed dentist authorized by state law to prescribe. On a selected basis, and within safe limits, the role of the licensed practical nurse shall be expanded by the board under its rule-making authority to more complex procedures and settings commensurate with additional preparation and experience.
(6) A "license" means an authorization to practice nursing as a registered nurse or a licensed practical nurse designated herein.
(7) A "registered nurse" is a person who is licensed or holds the privilege to practice under the provisions of this article and who practices nursing as defined herein. "RN" is the abbreviation for the title of Registered Nurse.
(8) A "licensed practical nurse" is a person who is licensed or holds the privilege to practice under this article and who practices practical nursing as defined herein. "LPN" is the abbreviation for the title of Licensed Practical Nurse.
(9) A "registered nurse in clinical practice" is one who functions in any health care delivery system which provides nursing services.
(10) A "clinical nurse specialist" is a person who is licensed or holds the privilege to practice under this article in this state to practice professional nursing and who in this state practices advanced nursing as defined herein. "CNS" is the abbreviation for the title of Clinical Nurse Specialist.
(11) An "advanced practice registered nurse" is a person who is licensed or holds the privilege to practice under this article and who is certified in advanced practice registered nurse or specialized nursing practice and includes certified registered nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists and certified nurse practitioners. "CNM" is the abbreviation for the title of Certified Nurse Midwife, "CRNA" is the abbreviation for the title of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. "CNP" is the abbreviation for the title of Certified Nurse Practitioner.
(12) A "nurse educator" is a registered nurse who meets the criteria for faculty as set forth in a state-accredited program of nursing for registered nurses, or a state-approved program of nursing for licensed practical nurses, and who functions as a faculty member.
(13) A "consumer representative" is a person representing the interests of the general public, who may use services of a health agency or health professional organization or its members but who is neither a provider of health services, nor employed in the health services field, nor holds a vested interest in the provision of health services at any level, nor has an immediate family member who holds vested interests in the provision of health services at any level.
(14) "Privilege to
practice" means the * * *authorization to multistate licensure privilege to
practice nursing in the state as described in the Nurse Licensure Compact
provided for in Section * * *73‑15‑22 73-15-201.
(15) "Licensee" is a person who has been issued a license to practice nursing in the state or who holds the privilege to practice nursing in the state.
SECTION 4. Section 73-15-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
73-15-17. The Mississippi Board of Nursing is authorized and empowered to:
(a) Adopt and from time to time revise such rules and regulations consistent with the law as shall be necessary to govern its proceedings and carry into effect the provisions of this article; however, the board shall not adopt any rule or regulation or impose any requirement regarding the licensing or certification of advanced practice registered nurses that conflicts with the prohibitions in Section 73-49-3.
(b) Require the secretary to keep records of all meetings of the board and keep a record of all proceedings, and to prepare a register of registered nurses and a register of licensed practical nurses, all nurses appearing thereon to be duly licensed under this article, and which registers shall be open for public inspection at all reasonable times.
(c) Issue subpoenas, require attendance of witnesses, and administer oaths of persons giving testimony.
(d) Cause the prosecution of all persons violating the provisions of this article, and incur such necessary expenses therefor.
(e) Conduct hearings upon charges calling for discipline of a licensee or revocation of a license or of the privilege to practice.
(f) Present a true and full report to the Governor and the Legislature, together with a statement of receipts and disbursements on or before February 1 of each year.
(g) Maintain an office in the greater Jackson area for the administration of this article.
(h) File an annual list of all certificates of registration issued by the board with the Secretary of State's office for both registered nurses and licensed practical nurses.
(i) File an annual list of all certificates of registration issued by the board to registered nurses, including addresses of the persons with the Mississippi Nurses' Association; and file a similar list of all certificates of registration issued to licensed practical nurses, including addresses of the persons, with the Mississippi Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses and the Mississippi Licensed Practical Nurses Association.
(j) Adopt a seal which shall be in the form of a circle with the image of an eagle in the center, and around the margin the words "Mississippi Board of Nursing," and under the image of the eagle the word "Official." The seal shall be affixed to certificates and warrants issued by the board, and to all records sent up on appeal from its decisions.
(k) Schedule dates and locations for state board examinations for examining qualified applicants for licensure.
(l) Examine, license and renew licenses of duly qualified applicants.
(m) Appoint and employ a qualified person who shall not be a member of the board to serve as executive director, define the duties, fix the compensation, and delegate to him or her those activities that will expedite the functions of the board. The executive director shall meet all the qualifications for board members, and shall in addition:
(i) Have had at least a master's degree in nursing, eight (8) years' experience as a registered nurse, five (5) of which shall be in teaching or in administration, or a combination thereof; and
(ii) Have been actively engaged in nursing for at least five (5) years immediately preceding appointment.
(n) Employ, discharge, define duties, and fix compensation of such other persons as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.
(o) Secure the services of research consultants as deemed necessary who shall receive a per diem, travel and other necessary expenses incurred while engaged by the board.
(p) Enter into contracts with any other state or federal agency or with any private person, organization or group capable of contracting, if it finds such action to be in the public interest and in the furtherance of its responsibilities.
(q) Upon reasonable suspicion that a holder of a license issued under this article has violated any statutory ground for denial of licensure as set forth in Section 73-15-29 or is guilty of any offense specified in Section 73-15-33, require the license holder to undergo a fingerprint-based criminal history records check of the Mississippi central criminal database and the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history database, in the same manner as required for applicants for licensure under Sections 73-15-19(1) and 73-15-21(1).
(r) Perform the duties prescribed by the Nurse Licensure Compact in Section 73-15-201.
SECTION 5. Sections 73-15-22 and 73-15-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, which are the former Nurse Licensure Compact, are repealed.
SECTION 6. The provisions of this act shall not take effect until a substantially similar act is enacted by at least twenty-six (26) states or on December 31, 2018, whichever occurs first, in accordance with Article X of the Nurse Licensure Compact, as enacted by Section 1 of this act. If twenty-six (26) states enact a substantially similar act before December 31, 2018, the Mississippi Board of Nursing shall notify the House and Senate Legislative Services Offices within five (5) days after the 26th state has enacted the act.
SECTION 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2017, subject to the provisions of Section 6 of this act.