Advanced practice registered nurses; revise collaboration requirement.
Summary
SB 2672 revises Mississippi’s Nursing Practice Law to update how advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) are defined and regulated. The bill amends the statement of purpose and several definitions in Section 73-15-5 to more clearly include APRNs and their specialty categories, including certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists. It also updates related provisions governing licensure, renewal, reinstatement, continuing education, and disciplinary authority so that APRNs are expressly covered throughout the nursing statutes.
The bill’s most significant policy change is in Section 73-15-20, where it creates an exemption from the physician or dentist collaborative/consultative relationship requirement for certified nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists after they complete 3,600 practice hours. Those hours may include practice completed before the bill’s effective date. Even after exemption, these APRNs must still consult with other health care providers and refer or transfer patients as appropriate. The bill also conforms a mental-health-related statute to the updated nursing terminology and takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
SB 2672 would alter Mississippi law by reducing supervision requirements for certain experienced APRNs and by aligning multiple statutory sections with updated APRN terminology. It changes the Nursing Practice Law to recognize APRNs more explicitly, clarifies the board’s authority over APRN licensure and discipline, and preserves existing rules for controlled-substance prescribing and board oversight. The practical effect is to expand practice autonomy for qualifying nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists while keeping them within the state licensing and disciplinary framework.
Sentiment
The bill’s stated purpose and structure suggest a generally supportive posture toward expanding APRN practice authority and modernizing nursing law. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of debate or opposition in the available record. Based on the text alone, the measure appears aimed at easing workforce and access-to-care constraints for advanced practice nurses while retaining regulatory safeguards.
Contention
The main point of contention is the removal of the required collaborative/consultative relationship with a physician or dentist after 3,600 practice hours for certain APRNs. Supporters would likely view this as a scope-of-practice expansion and a way to improve access to care, especially in underserved areas. Potential critics may be concerned about reduced physician oversight, patient safety, and whether the 3,600-hour threshold is sufficient before independent practice is allowed. The bill does not change the collaborative requirement for all APRNs, only for the specified categories after the experience threshold is met.