HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2333

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO NURSING.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that recent incidents of individuals using false verifications of inactive or non-existent Hawaii nurse licenses to fraudulently obtain nursing license verifications in other states have prompted Hawaii's board of nursing to seek the use of a more secure system recognized by almost all state nursing boards.  This coordinated licensure information system, currently under the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and known as "Nursys", is a national database for nurse licensees that includes license and disciplinary action information.  Currently, Hawaii, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Louisiana are the only states with boards of nursing not "fully" participating in Nursys, meaning that although Hawaii reports all disciplinary actions taken against a nurse licensee to Nursys, license information is not provided. 

     The information to be shared as part of full participation in Nursys includes licensure and enforcement activities related to nurse licensure laws.  By sharing license and discipline information with Nursys, the nurse licensee will be able to obtain a license verification and have it available immediately to the endorsing board of nursing.  Benefits of participating in Nursys also include prompt email notification of any disciplinary action taken by another board of nursing against an individual holding a Hawaii nurse license, Social Security Master Death Index comparison, and Sex Offenders Registry comparison.  Additionally, by participating more fully in Nursys, the board of nursing will be able to timely obtain verification of licensure for applicants applying for a Hawaii nurse license, and Hawaii licensees endorsing to another state will be able to order a verification through Nursys, streamlining the licensure process.  Furthermore, greater participation in Nursys will enhance the transition towards the adoption of the nurse licensure compact.

     The purpose of this Act is to allow the board of nursing to share nurse license information with the Nursys coordinated nurse licensure information system.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 457, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§457-    Nursys; verification of nurse license.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the board of nursing may fully participate in Nursys by sharing licensure and discipline data with Nursys.  By applying for nurse licensure, individuals shall consent to allowing the board to share their licensure and discipline data with Nursys."

     SECTION 3.  Section 457-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding two new definitions to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

     ""Licensure and discipline data" means identifying information that includes but is not limited to the licensee's name, address, social security number, date of birth, and nursing education. 

     "Nursys" means an integrated process for collecting, storing, and sharing information on nurse licensure and enforcement activities related to nurse licensure laws that is administered by a nonprofit organization composed of and controlled by licensing boards."

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

BY REQUEST


 


 

Report Title:

Nursing; Nursys; Licensure; Identifying Information

 

Description:

Allows the Board of Nursing to more fully participate in Nursys, a national database for nurse licensees by sharing license and disciplinary action information.

 

 

 

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