09 SB49/FA/2
Senate
Bill 49
By:
Senators Hawkins of the 49th, Thomas of the 54th, Hudgens of the 47th, Cowsert
of the 46th, Butterworth of the 50th and others
AS
PASSED SENATE
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 1 of Chapter 26 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the "Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act,"
so as to revise certain provisions relating to nursing education program
requirements for registered professional nurses; to provide for related matters;
to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
1 of Chapter 26 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the "Georgia Registered Professional Nurse Practice Act," is amended by
revising Code Section 43-26-7, relating to requirements for licensure as a
registered professional nurse, as follows:
"43-26-7.
(a)
Any applicant who meets the requirements of this Code section shall be eligible
for licensure as a registered professional nurse.
(b)
An applicant for licensure by examination shall:
(1)
Submit a completed written application and fee;
(2)
Have graduated from a nursing education program approved by the board or which
meets criteria similar to, and not less stringent than, those established by the
board;
(3)
Pass a board recognized licensing examination; provided, however, that such
examination may not be taken prior to graduation from the nursing education
program;
and
(4)
Have satisfactory results from a fingerprint record check report conducted by
the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as
determined by the board. Application for a license under this Code section
shall constitute express consent and authorization for the board or its
representative to perform a criminal background check. Each applicant who
submits an application to the board for licensure by examination agrees to
provide the board with any and all information necessary to run a criminal
background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of
fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with
the performance of such background
check;
and
(5)
Meet such other criteria as established by the
board.
(c)
An applicant for licensure by endorsement shall:
(1)
Submit a completed written application and fee;
(2)
Have passed a board recognized licensing examination following graduation from a
nursing education program approved by the board or which meets criteria similar
to, and not less stringent than, those established by the board;
(3)
Submit verification of initial and current licensure in any other licensing
jurisdiction administering a board recognized licensing
examination;
(4)
Have practiced nursing as a registered professional nurse for a period of time
as determined by the board or have graduated from a nursing education program
within the four years immediately preceding the date of the application;
and
(5)
Have satisfactory results from a fingerprint record check report conducted by
the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as
determined by the board. Application for a license under this Code section
shall constitute express consent and authorization for the board or its
representative to perform a criminal background check. Each applicant who
submits an application to the board for licensure by examination agrees to
provide the board with any and all information necessary to run a criminal
background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of
fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with
the performance of such background
check;
and
(6)
Meet such other criteria as established by the
board.
(d)
An applicant for reinstatement who has previously held a valid license in
Georgia shall:
(1)
Submit a completed written application and fee;
(2)
Have practiced nursing as a registered professional nurse for a period of time
as determined by the board or have graduated from a nursing education program
approved by the board or which meets criteria similar to, and not less stringent
than, those established by the board within the four years immediately preceding
the date of the application;
(3)
Have satisfactory results from a fingerprint record check report conducted by
the Georgia Crime Information Center and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as
determined by the board. Application for a license under this Code section
shall constitute express consent and authorization for the board or its
representative to perform a criminal background check. Each applicant who
submits an application to the board for licensure by examination agrees to
provide the board with any and all information necessary to run a criminal
background check, including, but not limited to, classifiable sets of
fingerprints. The applicant shall be responsible for all fees associated with
the performance of such background check; and
(4)
Meet such other criteria as established by the board.
(e)
For purposes of subsections (b) and (c) of this Code section, a nursing
education program that:
(1)
Is part of an institution of higher education located outside of the State of
Georgia that is approved by the appropriate regulatory authorities of its home
state;
(2)
Holds regional and specialty accreditation by an accrediting body or bodies
recognized by the United States Secretary of Education or the Council for Higher
Education Accreditation;
(3)
Requires program applicants to be a licensed practical/vocational nurse,
military service corpsman, or paramedic; and
(4)
Requires its students to pass faculty determined program outcomes including
competency based assessments of nursing knowledge, a rigorous clinical
competency assessment, and a board recognized licensing exam at a rate
equivalent to the completion rate for students of approved programs in
Georgia
is
hereby deemed to meet criteria similar to, and not less stringent than, those
established by the
board."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.