Indicates Matter Stricken Indicates New Matter COMMITTEE REPORT February 21, 2018 H. 4529 Introduced by Rep. G.M. Smith S. Printed 2/21/18--H. [SEC 2/22/18 3:48 PM] Read the first time January 9, 2018. THE COMMITTEE ON MEDICAL, MILITARY, PUBLIC AND MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS To whom was referred a Bill (H. 4529) to amend Section 403320, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to definitions in the Nurse Practice Act, so as to provide certain board, etc., respectfully REPORT: That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass: LEON HOWARD for Committee. STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED FISCAL IMPACT Explanation of Fiscal Impact Introduced on January 9, 2018 State Expenditure This bill authorizes physician assistants and certain Board of Nursing licensees to perform delegated medical acts by telemedicine. The bill establishes the duties and limitations of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in regards to telemedicine and defines telemedicine for the Nurse Practice Act. Under current law, only a physician may practice by telemedicine. The bill does not create additional licensure requirements for APRNs. APRNs are licensed by the Board of Nursing. This bill does not create additional requirements for the Board of Medical Examiners or the Board of Nursing. Therefore, this bill will have no impact to the general fund, federal funds, or other funds.
impairment who requires assistance to complete functions of daily living, selfcare, and mobility, including attendant care services. (34) ‘Lapsed license’ means the termination of a person’s authorization to practice nursing due to the person’s failure to renew his or her nursing license within the renewal period. (35) ‘Letter of caution’ means a written caution or warning about past or future conduct issued when it is determined that no misconduct has been committed or that only minor misconduct not warranting the imposition of a sanction has been committed. The issuance of a letter of caution is not a form of discipline and does not constitute a finding of misconduct unless the letter of caution specifically states that misconduct has been committed. The fact that a letter of caution has been issued must not be considered in a subsequent disciplinary proceeding against a person authorized to practice unless the caution or warning contained in the letter of caution is relevant to the misconduct alleged in the proceedings. (36) ‘License’ means a current document issued by the board authorizing a person to practice as an advanced practice registered nurse, a registered nurse, or a licensed practical nurse. (37) ‘Licensed Practical Nurse’ or ‘LPN’ means a person to whom the board has issued an authorization to practice as a licensed practical nurse. (38) ‘Misconduct’ means violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or regulations promulgated by the board pursuant to this chapter or violation of any of the principles of nursing ethics as adopted by the board or incompetence or unprofessional conduct. (39) ‘NCLEX’ means the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses. (40) ‘Nurse’ means a person licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse pursuant to this chapter. (41) ‘Nurse Practitioner’ or ‘NP’ means a registered nurse who has completed an advanced formal education program at the master’s level acceptable to the board, and who demonstrates advanced knowledge and skill in assessment and management of physical and psychosocial health, illness status of persons, families, and groups. Nurse practitioners who perform delegated medical acts must have a supervising physician or dentist who is readily available for consultation and shall operate within the approved written protocols. (42) ‘Nursing diagnosis’ means a clinical judgment about a person, family, or community that is derived through a nursing assessment and the standard nursing taxonomy.