MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2019 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Human Services

By: Representatives Johnson (87th), Dixon, Sykes

House Bill 1048

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE PROGRAM FOR THE REGISTRATION OF HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS UNDER THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH; TO PRESCRIBE THE POWERS OF THE BOARD IN THE REGISTRATION OF HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS; TO PROVIDE THAT HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS MAY ADMINISTER HEMODIALYSIS UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF A LICENSED REGISTERED NURSE; TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD TO ESTABLISH FEES NECESSARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THIS SECTION; TO REPEAL SECTION 73-15-101, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH PROVIDES FOR CERTIFICATION OF HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIANS BY THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF NURSING; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  (1)  The State Board of Health shall establish and maintain a statewide program for the registration of hemodialysis technicians.

     (2)  The board is authorized and empowered to:

          (a)  Register hemodialysis technicians who meet the qualifications prescribed by the board;

          (b)  Maintain a permanent register of all registered hemodialysis technicians; and

          (c)  Adopt rules and regulations relating to the registration and practice of hemodialysis technicians.

     (3)  Any person desiring registration as a registered hemodialysis technician must submit to the State Department of Health:

          (a)  An application as prescribed by the board; and

          (b)  A registration fee to be fixed by the board, which shall be paid to the department.

     (4)  A hemodialysis technician may administer hemodialysis under the authority of a registered nurse licensed under the Mississippi Nursing Practice Law, who may delegate tasks based on nursing judgment to a hemodialysis technician based on the technician's education, knowledge, training and skills.  A hemodialysis technician who has completed or is currently in a training program recognized by the board may perform as a hemodialysis technician under the authority of a registered nurse before obtaining national certification; however, the national certification must be obtained within eighteen (18) months of the hiring of the hemodialysis technician, and evidence of the national certification must be provided to the department.

     (5)  The board shall establish fees necessary for the administration of this section.

     SECTION 2.  Section 73-15-101, Mississippi Code of 1972, which provides for certification of hemodialysis technicians by the Mississippi Board of Nursing, is repealed.

     SECTION 3.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2019.