State Board of Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure and Specialty Certification - Reciprocity Discussions (Maryland Border States Advanced Practice Nursing Act)
Summary
SB407 requires the Maryland State Board of Nursing to hold discussions with the nursing licensing boards in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to pursue reciprocity agreements for advanced practice nursing licensure and specialty certification. The bill is framed as the Maryland Border States Advanced Practice Nursing Act and is intended to improve cross-border recognition of credentials for advanced practice registered nurses.
The measure also directs the Board to prioritize collaboration aimed at increasing access to qualified advanced practice nurses, improving licensure portability, and making telehealth easier to access in Maryland and neighboring jurisdictions. Beginning November 1, 2025, and annually for four additional years, the Board must report to the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations Committee on the status of discussions, any agreements reached, challenges encountered, and any recommended statutory or regulatory changes.
Impact
SB407 does not itself create automatic reciprocity or change nursing licensure standards immediately; instead, it amends the duties of the State Board of Nursing by requiring formal discussions with specified border-state jurisdictions and ongoing legislative reporting. Its practical effect is to push Maryland toward interstate recognition arrangements for advanced practice nursing credentials and specialty certifications, which could affect nurses, healthcare employers, and telehealth providers if agreements are later reached.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate and House unanimously, with recorded votes of 47-0 and 139-0, suggesting strong bipartisan agreement on the goal of improving nursing workforce mobility and access to care. The absence of committee transcript opposition also indicates generally favorable sentiment around the measure.
Contention
No notable substantive opposition is reflected in the available record. The main policy issue is not whether to pursue reciprocity, but how far and how quickly Maryland can negotiate workable agreements with neighboring jurisdictions and what legal or regulatory changes may be needed to implement them. Any future contention would likely center on licensure standards, scope of practice, and the terms of mutual recognition rather than the reporting requirement itself.
Crossfiled
State Board of Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure and Specialty Certification - Reciprocity Discussions (Maryland Border States Advanced Practice Nursing Act)