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2004 Legislative Updates
The following bills related to the practice of nursing were chaptered into law during the 2004 legislative session. Although these bills address many subjects, each affects registered nursing in some way. Unless otherwise stated, they became effective January 2005.
For additional information, please refer to www.leginfo.ca.gov.
Assembly Bills
- AB 2226 (Spitzer) - Nurse practitioners: qualification requirements
- AB 2560 (Montanez) - Nurse practitioners: furnishing drugs or devices
- AB 2839 (Daucher) - Nursing schools
Senate Bills
- SB 1245 (Kuehl) - California State University: Entry-Level Master's Nursing Programs Act
- SB 1415 (Brulte) - Postsecondary education: Donahoe Higher Education Act: common course numbering system
- SB 1785 (Scott) - Public postsecondary education: transfer requirements
AB 2226 (Spitzer) - Nurse practitioners: qualification requirements (Link to AB 2226)
AB 2226 requires, on and after January 1, 2008, an applicant for initial qualification or certification as a nurse practitioner, who has never been qualified or certified as a nurse practitioner in California, or any other state, to meet the following requirements: Hold a valid and active registered nurse license. Possess a master's degree in nursing, a master's degree in a clinical field related to nursing, or a graduate degree in nursing. Satisfactorily complete a nurse practitioner program approved by the board.
(Chaptered 344)
AB 2560 (Montanez) - Nurse practitioners: furnishing drugs or devices (Link to AB 2560)
AB 2560 authorizes a nurse practitioner to furnish drugs or devices, in accordance with standardized procedures or protocols developed by the nurse practitioner and the supervising physician, when the drugs or devices are consistent with the practitioner's educational preparation or for which clinical competency has been established and maintained. It also expands the types of health facilities in which a nurse practitioner can furnish drugs and devices.
(Chaptered 205)
AB 2839 (Daucher) - Nursing schools (Link to AB 2839)
AB 2839 requires the Board of Registered Nursing to establish a workgroup, or use an existing committee, to encourage and facilitate efficient transfer agreements or other enrollment models between associate degree nursing programs and baccalaureate degree nursing programs, so that students will be able to complete the baccalaureate program without unnecessary repetition of coursework.
(Chaptered 271)
SB 1245 (Kuehl) - California State University: Entry-Level Master's Nursing Programs Act (Link to SB 1245)
SB 1245 establishes, until January 1, 2014 the Entry-Level Master's Nursing Programs Act. It requires the Chancellor of the California State University, in consultation with the Board of Registered Nursing, to determine which campuses would be eligible for supplemental funds for establishing entry-level master's programs. The Chancellor is required to, annually; establish the total amount of of funding necessary to support four entry-level master's degree programs in nursing at the California State University. If no funding is provided in the annual Budget Act for implementation of these programs, the California State University is encouraged to make entry-level master's program courses available to students through self-supporting Extended Education programs.
(Chaptered 718)
SB 1415 (Brulte) - Postsecondary education: Donahoe Higher Education Act: common course numbering system (Link to SB 1415)
SB 1415 requires, not later than June 30, 2006, the California Community Colleges and the California State University to adopt a common course numbering system for teh 20 highest-demand majors. The University of California and private postsecondary institutions may adopt the common course numbering system.
(Chaptered 737)
SB 1785 (Scott) - Public postsecondary education: transfer requirements (Link to SB 1785)
SB 1785 establishes a program with the purpose of ensuring that community college students who wish to earn baccalaureate degrees at a campus of the California State University are able to do so. It requires the Chancellor of the California State University to establish admission requirements for community college transfer students in accordance with specific criteria.
(Chaptered 743)
