Pending Legislation and Briefs
Learn more about important healthcare legislation at both the state and federal level. The information below includes pending and recently passed bills, as well as critical updates on matters that affect the healthcare workforce.
Nursing Workforce Center
The Massachusetts chapter of the American Nurses Association has introduced legislation to establish an official nursing workforce center in Massachusetts. The bill, which you can view below, is being sponsored by Senator Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) and Rep. Majorie Decker (D-Cambridge). You can read the proposed legislation by clicking the links attached.
Combatting Violence in Healthcare
Violence in healthcare settings is a nationwide epidemic and a concerning problem in the commonwealth.The Massachusetts Hospital Association recently announced a collaborative effort between two of the largest healthcare unions in Massachusetts and the MHA to move forward legislation direct at combatting workplace violence in Massachusetts. The versions of the bills, HD3502 and SD1639, are linked below:
Additionally, you can read the NCWS recommendations to address workplace violence in healthcare facilities here.
Practicing Nursing in the Last Semester of Nursing School
As part of the Acts of 2024 Chapter 88 (Session Law - Acts of 2024 Chapter 88), Massachusetts now allows nursing students in their last semester to practice nursing. Below is the language used in the legislation:
SECTION 9. Section 80B of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:
An individual who graduated from a registered nursing or practical nursing program approved by the board or who is a senior nursing student attending the last semester of a registered nursing or practical nursing program approved by the board may practice nursing; provided, that: (i) the individual is employed by or providing health care services at the direction of a licensed health care facility or a licensed health care provider; (ii) the individual is directly supervised while providing health care services; and (iii) the employing licensed health care facility or licensed health care provider has verified that the individual is a graduate of a registered nursing or practical nursing program approved by the board or that the individual is a senior nursing student attending the last semester of a registered nursing or practical nursing program approved by the board. The board shall issue guidance to implement this section that shall include guidance regarding the appropriate supervision of nursing students.
Addressing the Nurse Practitioner (APRN) Precepting Crisis
APRNs are an essential component of the healthcare workforce, especially with the growing primary care crisis. To understand the depth of the primary care crisis in Massachusetts and the challenge to prepare APRNs to address this critical issue, read the NCWS News Brief
You can also learn more by reviewing "Breaking Barriers: Addressing Preceptor Challenges in Nurse Practitioner Education for Primary Care Solutions" a presentation given by NCWS Executive Director Jay Prosser at the annual conference for the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers.
Note: While conversations regarding funding APRN preceptors are ongoing, no pending legislation currently exists. If legislation materializes, updates will be posted here.
Federal Legislative Priorities
There are numerous pending federal legislative efforts that directly impact the nursing workforce that we are supporting action on by the end of 2024. Read more about this in the letter from the Nursing Community Coalition's letter to House and Senate Leadership
Title VIII Update
On June 27, 2024, the U.S. House Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee began FY 2025 conversations. This involved recommending a $18.343 million dollar decrease for Title VIII nursing workforce funding. Additionally, no funding was allocated to the National Institute of Nursing Research; rather, this agency would be combined among several departments within the NIH.
In August 2024, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed its FY 2025 version, which increased Title VIII funding by approximately $5 million dollars and continued the same amount of funding from FY 2024 for the Institute of Nursing Research.
The Council will continue to monitor updates as these measures move through Congress.