2019 -- S 0298

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LC000411

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - NURSE ANESTHETISTS

     Introduced By: Senator Joshua Miller

     Date Introduced: February 13, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 5-34.2-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-34.2 entitled "Nurse

Anesthetists" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-34.2-3. Requirements for licensure of the nurse anesthetist.

     Requirements for licensure as a nurse anesthetist shall consist of the following:

     (1) Current licensure as a professional registered nurse in the state; and

     (2) Graduation from an educational program accredited by the council on accreditation of

nurse anesthesia educational programs or its predecessors or successors, and which has as its

objective preparation of nurses to practice nurse anesthesia; and

     (3) Initial certification by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists council on

certification of nurse anesthetists and recertification, as applicable by the American Association

of Nurse Anesthetists council on recertification of nurse anesthetists or their predecessors or

successors.

     (4) [Deleted by P.L. 2013, ch. 83, § 4 and P.L. 2013, ch. 93, § 4].

     (5) The requirements stated in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this section do not apply to a

professional registered nurse who practices nursing in accordance with the provisions of the

Nurse Practice Act, chapter 34 of this title, and who is enrolled as a bona fide student in an

accredited nurse anesthesia program providing nurse anesthesia under the supervision of a

certified registered nurse anesthetist and or anesthesiologist.

     (6) Beginning July 21, 1992, all nurse anesthetists shall be afforded the same period of

time to become licensed. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, no person practicing as a

nurse anesthetist in Rhode Island on July 1, 1991, shall be required to obtain proper certification

under this chapter. However, as required by subdivision (3) of this section, persons who become

certified under this section shall become recertified as applicable.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS - NURSE ANESTHETISTS

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     This act would permit a registered nurse who is enrolled in an accredited nurse anesthesia

program to practice as a nurse anesthetist under the supervision of a certified registered nurse

anesthetist or an anesthesiologist.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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