THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2489
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR NURSING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Act 198, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, established the center for nursing to address issues related to the State's current and future shortage of registered nurses and others within the health care workforce who provide nursing care.  The center for nursing is required to:  collect and analyze data and prepare and disseminate written reports; conduct research on best practices and quality outcomes; develop a plan for implementing strategies to recruit and retain nurses; and research, analyze, and report data related to the retention of the nursing workforce.

     The legislature further finds that, as the nursing profession transforms to meet a changing health care landscape, the ongoing process of developing a strategic plan requires the center for nursing to have an active, engaged advisory board with members capable of addressing workforce issues in a timely manner.  However, the legislature finds that the six labor organization positions on the advisory board have not been filled for many years.  This has impeded the advisory board's ability to attain quorum for its monthly meetings and access relevant expertise.  This situation has also prevented prospective candidates from sitting on the advisory board and sharing expertise in relevant areas such as nursing practice, research, education, administration, and financing care.

     The legislature additionally finds that the center for nursing is a member of the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, and notes that these areas of expertise are represented in other states' nursing workforce centers.

     Aligning the center for nursing more closely with other states' nursing workforce centers would help the center for nursing meet the challenges of a changing health care landscape and ensure that the center for nursing is able to carry out its mission.  To do so, it is necessary that a majority of members on the advisory board comprise nurses or representatives of nursing organizations and other members with backgrounds in critical areas of expertise.  Accordingly, amendments to the composition of the center for nursing advisory board are needed.

     The legislature also notes that amendments to the center for nursing advisory board's powers and duties are necessary, as some powers and duties currently delegated to the advisory board are codified elsewhere in statute or within the purview of the University of Hawaii system.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Decrease the number of voting members on the center for nursing advisory board to nine, a majority of whom shall be nurses or representatives of nursing organizations;

     (2)  Specify the membership of the advisory board to better facilitate the center for nursing's mission;

     (3)  Clarify term limits and appointments to the advisory board; and

     (4)  Amend certain powers and duties of the advisory board.

     SECTION 2.  Section 304A-1404, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§304A-1404  Center for nursing; establishment; advisory board.  (a)  There is established, within the University of Hawaii school of nursing and dental hygiene, a center for nursing.

     (b)  The dean of the school of nursing and dental hygiene, or the dean's designee, shall direct the activities of the center for nursing.  There shall be an advisory board composed of [fifteen] nine voting members, a majority of whom shall be nurses or representatives of nursing organizations, appointed by the governor pursuant to section 26-34 to staggered terms [as follows:], including:

    [(1)  Five members from the business and labor community:

         (A)  One of whom shall represent the Healthcare Association of Hawaii;

         (B)  Two of whom shall represent other business entities; and

         (C)  Two of whom shall represent labor organizations;

     (2)  Five members from the nursing profession:

         (A)  One of whom shall represent the American Organization of Nurse Executives;

         (B)  One of whom shall represent the Hawaii Government Employees Association; and

         (C)  Three of whom shall represent the Hawaii Nurses' Association, provided that:

              (i)  Two members shall represent the professional component; and

             (ii)  One member shall be a non-managerial staff nurse;

     (3)  Two members from among the State's nurse educators:

         (A)  One of whom shall be a doctorally-prepared nurse educator; and

         (B)  The other, a doctorally-prepared nurse researcher; and

     (4)  Three members from community agencies or consumer groups with an interest in healthcare.]

     (1)  Five members who are nurses with an active Hawaii nursing license, including but not limited to:

         (A)  A nursing executive;

          (B)  An advanced practice registered nurse;

         (C)  A nurse affiliated with a nurse collective bargaining organization; and

         (D)  A doctorally-prepared nurse educator or a doctorally-prepared nurse researcher;

     (2)  One member who is a representative from the board of nursing; and

     (3)  Three members who have a background or experience in health care delivery, finance, and community agencies or consumer groups.

The center may invite other members of the public with specific backgrounds to participate as ex officio, nonvoting members.

     (c)  The members of the advisory board for the center for nursing shall serve without compensation.

     (d)  Each appointed member of the advisory board shall serve a term of four years.  No member may be appointed to more than two consecutive terms.  Any vacancy in an unexpired term shall be filled by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term."

     SECTION 3.  Section 304A-1405, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§304A-1405[]]  Advisory board for the center for nursing; powers and duties.  The advisory board for the center for nursing shall have the powers and duty to:

    [(1)  Employ an executive director and no more than two other staff members, at least one of whom shall be an independent doctorally-prepared nurse researcher;

     (2)  Adopt a mission statement and operational policy;

     (3)] (1)  Elect a chairperson;

    [(4)] (2)  Establish committees of the board as needed;

    [(5)] (3)  Seek input from individuals and community groups interested in the issue of nursing shortages;

    [(6)] (4)  Implement the major functions of the center for nursing; and

    [(7)] (5)  Seek and accept nonstate funds for carrying out the mission of the center for nursing."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

 

Report Title:

Center for Nursing; Advisory Board; Members; Powers and Duties

 

Description:

Amends the composition of the center for nursing advisory board by decreasing the number of voting members on the center for nursing advisory board to nine; specifying the membership of the advisory board to better facilitate the center for nursing's mission; and clarifying term limits and appointments to the advisory board.  Amends certain powers and duties of the advisory board.  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.