Ohio Chapter of the National Association for Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

Grassroots Advocacy

The 134th Ohio General Assembly ended on December 31, 2022. The 135th General Assembly began in January 2023. There are many new (also called “freshman”) state legislators this term. Meet the new lawmakers of the 135th Ohio General Assembly: House Directory and Senate Directory.

For health policy advocates, ongoing education of new legislators about our role and scope of practice is the key to the successful passage of a bill. The 134th Ohio General Assembly introduced over 1,100 bills, but only a small number were signed into law. A bill dies at the end of a 2-year General Assembly unless it is passed by both chambers (i.e., Ohio House of Representatives and Senate) and signed by the Governor before being enacted into law. The bills that did not pass the last General Assembly have the potential for reintroduction this year in the 135th Ohio General Assembly. Stay tuned to see a list of bills that we will be watching in 2023-2024.

135th Ohio General Assembly (2023-2024)

134th Ohio General Assembly (2021-2022)

• Senate Bill 3 | Enter into Nurse Licensure Compact: A multi-state 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 an RN or as a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN), under a multi-state licensure privilege, in each party state.
• Senate Bill 48 | Require Certain Health Care Professionals to Complete Instruction in Cultural Competency: Requires certain health care professionals, including APRNs, to complete instruction in cultural competency when submitting the initial and renewal licensure application. The number of hours required to be determined by the board issuing the license, such as the Ohio Board of Nursing.
• House Bill 122 | Regards the Provision of Telehealth Services: To establish and modify requirements regarding the provision of telehealth services.
• House Bill 138 | Regards the scope of emergency medical services provided by emergency medical service personnel.
• House Bill 135 | Prohibit Certain Health Insurance Cost-Sharing Practices.
• House Bill 221 | Enact Better Access, Better Care Act was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives on March 17, 2021, by primary sponsors Representatives Brinkman and Gross, and two co-sponsors (Representatives Miller and Riedel). The bill has been assigned to the House Health Committee. The proposed legislation would expand access to healthcare services by eliminating the standard care arrangement (SCA). 

Legislative Successes

Legislative Successes in the 133rd Ohio General Assembly (2019-2020)

• House Bill 11 | Regards Tobacco Cessation and Prenatal Initiatives: Coverage of tobacco cessation services for expectant mothers. Also establishes a grant program to address the provision of prenatal health care service to pregnant women on a group basis. The Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners is a proponent and sent a letter of support. PASSED! Law became effective on September 18, 2000, and appropriations effective June 19, 2020. 
• House Bill 203 | Specifies Requirements for Mobile Dental Facility Operations: Authorizes pharmacists to enter consult agreements with certain APRNs. PASSED! Law became effective December 16, 2020.
• House Bill 606 | Grants Immunity to Essential Workers Who Transmit COVID-19: Provides that the qualified civil immunities created under the bill apply from the date of the Governor’s COVID-19 emergency order on March 9, 2020, through September 20, 2021. PASSED! Law became effective December 16, 2020.

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