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2023 SESSION

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Senate Committee on Education and Health
Subcommittee Health Professions

Barker (Chair), Saslaw, Newman, Edwards, Lewis, Dunnavant, Suetterlein, Pillion, Hashmi

Staff: J. Bergamini, J. Carlton
Date of Meeting: January 13, 2023
Time and Place: 8:30 AM / Senate Subcommittee Room 2

S.B. 793

Patron: Chase

Prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19. Provides that licensed health care providers with prescriptive authority may prescribe, administer, or dispense hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin to a patient with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19. The bill prohibits the Board of Medicine from initiating a disciplinary action against a licensed health care provider solely for prescribing, administering, or dispensing hydroxychloroquine or ivermectin to a patient with a clinical diagnosis of COVID-19, provided such clinical diagnosis and treatment has been documented in the patient's medical record by such licensed health care provider.

A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 54.1-3408.6, relating to prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19.

23100912D

S.B. 948

Patron: Suetterlein

Pharmacist scope of practice; initiation of treatment for certain diseases and conditions. Allows pharmacists to initiate treatment with, dispense, or administer controlled substances or devices for treatment of Group A Streptococcus infection, influenza virus infection, and urinary tract infection to persons 18 years of age or older or persons otherwise authorize to consent with whom the pharmacist has a bona fide pharmacist-patient relationship in accordance with regulations set forth by the Board of Pharmacy. The bill directs the Board of Medicine, in collaboration with the Board of Pharmacy and the Department of Health, to establish a statewide protocol for the initiation of treatment with and dispensing and administering of drugs and devices by pharmacists in accordance with the provisions of the bill by November 1, 2023, and directs the Board of Pharmacy to adopt emergency regulations to implement the provisions of the bill.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3303.1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to pharmacist scope of practice; initiation of treatment for certain diseases and conditions.

23102717D

S.B. 975

Patron: Peake

Certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners; designation as advanced practice registered nurses. Changes references to certain practitioners in the Code to advanced practice registered nurse in order to align the Code with the professional designations established by the Consensus Model for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses Regulation established by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2818, 8.01-401.2, 8.01-581.1, 13.1-543, 13.1-1102, 16.1-336, 18.2-72, 18.2-76, 22.1-178, 22.1-270, 22.1-271.2, 22.1-271.4, 22.1-271.7, 22.1-274, 22.1-274.2, 32.1-19, 32.1-23.2, 32.1-42.1, 32.1-46, 32.1-50, 32.1-60, 32.1-122.6:02, 32.1-134.2, 32.1-134.3, 32.1-134.4, 32.1-138, 32.1-162.15:2, as it shall become effective, 32.1-263, 32.1-282, 32.1-325, as it is currently effective and as it shall become effective, 37.2-815, 38.2-3407.11, 38.2-3408, 38.2-4221, 45.2-548, 45.2-1137, 46.2-208, 46.2-322, 46.2-731, 46.2-739, 46.2-1240, 46.2-1241, 53.1-22, 54.1-2400.01:1, 54.1-2400.9, 54.1-2701, 54.1-2729.2, 54.1-2900, 54.1-2901, 54.1-2904, 54.1-2910.5, as it shall become effective, 54.1-2927, 54.1-2957 through 54.1-2957.04, 54.1-2970.1, 54.1-2972, 54.1-2973.1, 54.1-2983.2, 54.1-2986.2, 54.1-3000, 54.1-3002, 54.1-3005, 54.1-3016.1, 54.1-3300, 54.1-3300.1, 54.1-3301, 54.1-3303, 54.1-3304.1, 54.1-3401, 54.1-3408, 54.1-3408.3, 54.1-3482, 54.1-3482.1, 54.1-3812, 58.1-439.22, 58.1-609.10, 59.1-297, 59.1-298, 59.1-310.4, 63.2-1808, 63.2-1808.1, 63.2-2203, 65.2-402.1, and 65.2-605 of the Code of Virginia, relating to certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse practitioners; designation as advanced practice registered nurses.

23102178D

S.B. 1005

Patron: Hashmi

Practice of physical therapy. Eliminates the requirement that treatment by a licensed physical therapist for more than 60 consecutive days after evaluation of the patient occurs only upon the referral and direction of a licensed doctor of medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, or dental surgery, a licensed nurse practitioner, or a licensed physician assistant acting under the supervision of a licensed physician. The bill also allows licensed physical therapists to practice dry needling without a referral. Additionally, the bill clarifies that a licensed physical therapist may provide, without referral or supervision, physical therapy services to students with disabilities who require physical therapy services to fulfill the provisions of their individualized education plan or physical therapy services provided under § 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The bill directs the Board of Physical Therapy to report, by December 1, 2024, to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions a summary of disciplinary actions taken against physical therapists whose conduct resulted in physical harm to a patient when such patient received more than 60 consecutive days of physical therapy treatment without a physician referral.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3482 of the Code of Virginia, relating to practice of physical therapy.

23103928D

S.B. 1084

Patron: Bell

Prescription of Schedule VI controlled substances; asynchronous interactions. Allows practitioners to establish a bona fide practitioner-patient relationship through asynchronous interaction for the purpose of prescribing Schedule VI controlled substances if the patient chooses not to use insurance for the encounter and if such prescribing complies with federal requirements for the practice of telemedicine. The bill directs the Board of Pharmacy to conduct a review of Schedule VI controlled substances and report to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions by December 31, 2023, any Schedule VI substances that the General Assembly may want to consider rescheduling due to potential risk of abuse by a patient if prescribed in accordance with the standard of care for asynchronous telemedicine interactions.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3303 of the Code of Virginia, relating to prescription of Schedule VI controlled substances; asynchronous interactions.

23104083D

S.B. 1105

Patron: Boysko

Board of Medicine; Board of Nursing; joint licensing of nurse practitioners and licensed certified midwives. Moves the professions of nurse practitioners and licensed certified midwives from being licensed jointly by the Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing to being licensed by the Board of Nursing only.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 8.01-401.2, 22.1-271.7, 32.1-134.2, 32.1-263, 32.1-282, 54.1-2900, 54.1-2901, 54.1-2910.5, 54.1-2927, 54.1-2957.9, 54.1-2972, 54.1-2973.1, 54.1-3000, 54.1-3005, 54.1-3300, 54.1-3300.1, 54.1-3301, 54.1-3303, 54.1-3401, 54.1-3408, 54.1-3482, 54.1-3482.1, and, 63.2-2203 of the Code of Virginia; to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Chapter 30 of Title 54.1 articles numbered 8 and 9, consisting of sections numbered 54.1-3044 through 54.1-3050; and to repeal §§ 54.1-2957 through and 54.1-2957.04 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Board of Medicine; Board of Nursing; joint licensing of nurse practitioners and licensed certified midwives.

23103627D

S.B. 1147

Patron: Boysko

Department of Health Professions and Boards of Medicine and Nursing; continued competency; human trafficking training required. Requires all practitioners regulated by the Department of Health Professions, practitioners licensed by the Board of Medicine, and practitioners licensed by the Board of Nursing to complete training on topics related to human trafficking, including strategies for identifying and assisting victims of human trafficking. The bill requires training standards to be approved by the Director of the Department of Health Professions; a list of approved training courses shall be posted on the Department of Health Professions website and shall include at least one course that is available without charge. The successful completion of this training shall be a condition of renewals of registration, certification, licensure, permit, and the issuance of a multistate licensure privilege.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 54.1-2400, 54.1-2400.01, 54.1-2505, 54.1-2912.1, and 54.1-3005 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Department of Health Professions and Boards of Medicine and Nursing; continued competency; human trafficking training required.

23103078D

S.B. 1198

Patron: Saslaw

Drug Control Act; prohibition of distribution of hypodermic needles; exception. Provides an exception to the prohibition of distribution of hypodermic needles for the distribution of hypodermic needles that are designed to be used with a reusable injector pen for the administration of insulin.

A BILL to amend and reenact § 54.1-3467 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Drug Control Act; prohibition of distribution of hypodermic needles; exception.

23102135D