Amendment to Florida Law, HB-1241, Expands Authority of ARNPs and PAs to Order Controlled Substances
By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On March 11, 2016, a number of health care-related bills made their way through the Florida Legislature, including a bill that will amend the existing laws applicable to Florida Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs). The Florida Legislature passed a measure that expanded existing Florida law on the ordering of controlled prescriptions by ARNPs and PAs.
HB 1241-Ordering.
HB 1241 makes it clear that ARNPs and PAs can order medications, including controlled substances for administration to patients in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and nursing homes. Medical Associations, such as Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists (FANA), have long been fighting for this measure and quickly supported the legislation.
To view HB 1241 and the amendments, click here.
To learn more on the regulations on ARNPs and PAs scope of practice, click here to read one of my prior blogs.
This bill will now be forwarded to the governor, Rick Scott, for signature. It is not a law until it is signed by the governor, who may still decide to veto it.
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Sources:
Ammann, Phil. “Health Care Bills Advance in Legislature.” Florida Politics. (March 12, 2016). Web.
“Historic Legislation Passes-Controlled Substance Prescriptive Authority For All Florida ARNPs Including CRNAs.” FANA. (March 11, 2016). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Ave., Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620.
Keywords: Florida Legislature, ordering of controlled substances, Florida ARNPs , CRNAs and PAs, HB 1241Ordering, Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists (FANA), American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), legal counsel for Nurses, nursing defense lawyer, health care attorney, health law defense attorney, historic legislation, health care law, nurse attorney, nurse lawyer, nurse representation, The Health Law Firm
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