Omnibus health licensing bill approved
An omnibus health care licensure bill was given final approval April 24.
![Sen. Carol Blood](https://update.legislature.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/SenBlood_inline-200x300.jpg)
Introduced by Bellevue Sen. Carol Blood, LB88 allows military spouses to obtain temporary licensure in Nebraska in a variety of health professions under the Uniform Credentialing Act.
The bill includes provisions from four other measures:
• LB61, introduced by Seward Sen. Mark Kolterman, which authorizes Nebraska to join the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact;
• LB425, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Sue Crawford, which updates provisions for licensure and practice requirements within the current Nurse Practitioner Practice Act;
• LB283, introduced by Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe, which allows licensed practical nurses to provide intravenous therapy and would eliminate the Licensed Practical Nurse-Certified Practice Act; and
• LB342, introduced by Bayard Sen. Steve Erdman, which amends portions of the state’s Nurse Practice Act to allow Nebraska to join the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact when it takes effect — either on Dec. 31, 2018, or when 26 states have joined.
The bill removes a requirement that a licensed audiologist obtain a second, specialist license in order to sell hearing instruments.
It also removes a requirement that nurses educated in a foreign country pass a specific examination or hold a certificate from the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools. Instead, an applicant will be required to pass a board-approved examination and provide satisfactory evaluation from a board-approved foreign credentials evaluation service.
LB88 passed on a 49-0 vote and takes effect immediately.
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