The Ohio House of Representatives today passed House Bill 303, which modifies laws administered by the Ohio Board of Nursing, including laws governing board procedures and the professionals the board regulates: nurses, dialysis technicians, dialysis technician interns, medication aides, and certified health workers.

House Bill 303 strives to address various regulatory issues and requirements for licensees and certificate holders, as well as provide greater clarity about the requirements to those who are regulated by the board. It also helps ensure that licensees and certified holders meet the necessary regulations to practice in Ohio, while maintaining an efficient and effective system for licensing or certifying applicants to enter or remain in the workforce.

“The changes that are included in House Bill 303 reflect the latest advances in medicine and uphold the Ohio Board of Nursing’s mission to promote public safety,” said State Representative Kirk Schuring (R-Canton), who sponsored House Bill 303. “The revisions included in this legislation ensure that the regulatory system pertaining to Ohio’s nurses is efficient and effective, and that Ohio’s patients are receiving the highest quality of care.”

Among other provisions, House Bill 303:

• Extends the length of time that the board has to take action on the approval of an education program to coincide with the completion of the survey, which will give the board more time to do the appropriate due diligence necessary to process the program’s certification
• Allows the board to reconsider or approve a program while under provisional status prior to the end of the status period, which will allow board action before the end of the provisional status rather than having to wait until it expires
• Establishes a licensing process for pediatric respite care programs similar to the Department’s existing licensure process for hospice care programs A.K.A. “Sarah’s Law”
• Expands the list of persons who receive qualified immunity from civil liability for providing health care services on a volunteer basis
• Modifies licensure requirements for methadone treatment programs to specify that treatment cannot be maintained within a 500-foot radius of a public or private school, licensed day-care center, or other child-serving agency

House Bill 303 passed by a vote of 76-16 and will now be sent to the Governor’s office.