HB 1151 revises Indiana law governing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). It updates the statutory definition of a certified registered nurse anesthetist, adds new statutory definitions for certified nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse practitioner, and ties each APRN role to graduate-level education, national certification, and Indiana registered nurse licensure. The bill also specifies that APRN licenses expire on October 31 of each odd-numbered year, aligning APRN renewal timing with registered nurses.
The bill expands the Indiana State Board of Nursing from nine to eleven members and increases the number of registered nurse members, including APRN representation, while keeping two licensed practical nurses and one public member. It also requires the board to adopt a rule by December 30, 2026, establishing certification equivalency for clinical nurse specialists. Conforming changes are made to the medical malpractice and nursing statutes to reflect the updated APRN terminology, including the definition of certified nurse midwife.
Impact
HB 1151 would amend multiple sections of the Indiana Code governing nursing licensure, board composition, and related malpractice definitions. It would broaden and modernize the statutory framework for APRNs by formally recognizing additional APRN roles, clarifying qualifications for licensure, and updating renewal and board governance provisions. The bill also affects the impaired nurses account by continuing to dedicate a portion of renewal fees to rehabilitation and board-related functions, with conforming changes to related funding and administrative provisions.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears generally supportive of the nursing profession and APRN practice expansion, with no recorded committee testimony or votes indicating opposition or support. The bill’s structure suggests a technical and professional-regulation focus rather than a controversial policy shift. Because no discussion transcripts or vote history were provided, there is no documented public sentiment beyond the apparent intent to clarify and update nursing licensure law.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas that could draw attention are the expansion of the State Board of Nursing, the formal recognition and licensure framework for additional APRN roles, and the board’s future rulemaking on certification equivalency for clinical nurse specialists. Any debate would likely center on professional scope, regulatory standards, and board representation rather than on broader public policy issues.