Governor Kemp signs Nursing Bills. See Below:

HISTORICAL LEGISLATIVE YEAR FOR NURSES!!!!!

AS OF APRIL 24, 2024 THE FOLLOWING BILLS THAT PASSED 2024 SESSION HAVE NOW BEEN SIGNED BY GOVERNOR KEMP  

HB 557     SCHEDULE II  PRESCRIPTIONS & DISABILITY PARKING PERMITS

AUTHOR: REPRESENTATIVE  RON STEPHENS

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/64729

• Authorizing APRN/PA after one year of post-licensure clinical experience to prescribe hydrocodone, oxycodone, or compounds thereof in emergency situations not to exceed five-day supply for individuals 18 years of age or older  
• Authorize APRN/PA to write orders for disability parking permits
• NOTE:  Authorizations included in HB 557 must be included in the nurse protocol agreement or the PA’s supervisory agreement

SB 449       APRN LICENSURE 

  AND EXPEDITED LICENSING PROCESS FOR MILITARY MEDICAL PERSONNEL

AUTHOR: SENATOR LARRY WALKER WITH LANGUAGE ADDED FROM REPR. ALAN POWELL’S HB 215 

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/66664

§  Includes substitute language that was approved by the Governor’s office to create APRN LICENSES effective September 2025.     

o   NOTE:  SB 164 (with APRN license language) was approved by House in 2023 but was vetoed by the Governor due to lack of adequate implementation time period being included in the bill.

§  Includes an expedited licensing process for military medical personnel to provisionally qualify as a paramedic, cardiac technician, EMT, and LPN.

 HB 1046    DEATH CERTIFICATE SIGNING (EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024),  

 APRN PROTOCOL SUPERVISION RATIO CHANGES (EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 2024), 

GA. COMMISSION ON MATERNAL & INFANT HEALTH (EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2024)

AUTHOR:  REPR. DAVID CLARK

https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20232024/229559

·      AUTHORIZES APRNs/PAs TO SIGN DEATH CERTIFICATES (AUTHORIZATION MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE APRN PROTOCOL AGREEMENTS/PA JOB DESCRIPTIONS) 

·      REVISES THE NUMBER OF APRNs and PAs THAT A PHYSICIAN CAN AUTHORIZE AND SUPERVISE AT ANY ONE TIME  - PHYSICIAN CANNOT ENTER INTO A JOB DESCRIPTION WITH A PA OR A NURSE PROTOCOL AGREEMENT WITH AN APRN WITH MORE THAN A COMBINED EQUIVALENT OF 8 PAS OR APRNS OR SUPERVISE MORE THAN THE COMBINED EQUIVALENT OF 8 AT A TIME 

§  INCLUDES IMMUNITY SECTION – THE AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUAL COMPLETING AND SIGNING A DEATH CERTIFICATE IN GOOD FAITH  SHALL BE IMMUNE FROM CIVIL LIABILITY FOR ANY ACTS OR OMISSIONS RELATING TO THE MEDICAL CERTIFICATION, ABSENT WANTON MISCONDUCT OR INTENTIONAL WRONGDOING. 

§  REQUIRES THAT A SELECTION BOX SHALL BE ADDED TO DEATH CERTIFICATES TO BE CHECKED OFF BY NONPHYSICIANS COMPLETING THE FORM. 

§  CREATES THE GEORGIA COMMISSION ON MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH - THE 14 MEMBER COMMISSION (INCLUDING A NURSE MIDWIFE) WILL SOLICIT VIEWS OF PERINATAL FACILITIES, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND RELATED PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND SUBMIT A DETAILED WRITTEN REPORT ON FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNOR AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY JUNE 30, 2026

(ORIGINAL LANGUAGE WAS INCLUDED IN HB 1037 BY REPR. LAUREN DANIEL)

More information will be coming down the pipes for UAPRN members                          

HB 874   AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL WITH REQUIRED EMERGENCY ACTION PLANS                                                                                                                                                                      

Author: Representative Lee Hawkins                                                                                                                                     https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/65945

·      Requires automated external defibrillators in all public schools (K-12) and requires emergency action plans to address a person in cardiac arrest, including providing qualified internal response team and practice drills