Pennsylvania Nurse, Front Page 2017 Issue 1 | Page 5

Happenings on the Hill
This April, RNs from across the Commonwealth gathered to celebrate and advocate for the profession at PSNA’s
annual Legislative Day. Nurses advocated for patient-centered nurse staffing and registered nurse delegation. But
advocating for the profession cannot be a once a year event. This is why PSNA is proud to announce the forma-
tion of the Legislative Ambassador Program. PSNA monitors and creates legislation, testifies before committees
and is the nursing professions eyes and ears in Harrisburg. Legislators in Harrisburg are tasked with retaining and
recalling a lot of information on a daily basis and are not always fully informed about issues impacting nurses and
patients. The PSNA Advocacy Ambassadors are members who attend the PSNA Advocacy Academy, develop
relationships with legislators, and educate colleagues on PSNA’s legislative initiatives.
Since the beginning of January’s legislative session, PSNA has re-introduced and circulated co-sponsor memos for
several key legislative initiatives.
Safe Staffing – Rep. Judy Ward – PSNA Initiative: Amends the Health Care Facilities Act by providing for profes-
sional nurse staffing standards. Definitions are provided and healthcare facilities are required to develop, imple-
ment, and monitor a professional nurse safe staffing plan for the purpose of ensuring the health and safety of
patients. Requires and provides for the development of professional nurse staffing committees. This is not a ratio
approach. Instead, it is a committee made up of at least 50% bedside nurses and 50% other personnel. It requires
a 66% vote on final adoption of a staffing plan. This model will take into account variables such as patient acuity,
unit layout, and ancillary support to determine the appropriate number, skills, experience, and education of nurses
on a given unit. Will be re-introduced.
CNO of the Commonwealth – Rep. Donna Oberlander – PSNA Initiative: Amends Act titled, “An act creating a
Department of Health, and defining its powers and duties,” by adding language establishing the office of the
Chief Nursing Officer of the Commonwealth within the Department of Health. The CNO shall be appointed by
the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Requires
the CNO to be a practicing nurse licensed by the Commonwealth, to be a registered nurse with an unencumbered
license, at least 10 years of working experience as a registered nurse, and who has an advanced degree in nursing or
public health. Will be re-introduced.
RN Delegation – HB 820 and SB 518 – Rep. Jim Cox and Senator Dave Argall – PSNA Initiative: Amends the
Professional Nursing Law by allowing RNs to delegate nursing functions when certain conditions are met. Defines
“delegate” and “delegation.” Requires the State Board of Nursing to promulgate regulations that establish the
criteria pursuant to which a registered nurse may delegate the performance of nursing functions. House and Senate
versions referred to the Professional Licensure Committees.
Assault on a Health Care Practitioner – HB 646 – Rep. Judy Ward – PSNA Supports: Amends Title 18 (Crimes and
Offenses) “Assault,” by adding healthcare practitioners in a healthcare facility and employees of public transporta-
tion to the scope of the offense of aggravated assault. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
Clean Indoor Air Act – HB 1309 – Rep. Matt Baker – PSNA Supports: Addresses concerns expressed last session,
including bars; cigar lounges; outdoor spaces; and locations frequented by minors. The legislation will close loop-
holes for casinos, as well as private and drinking establishments. It includes use of e-cigarettes within the definition
of smoking. Finally, this legislation would remove the state preemption language, giving all political su bdivisions
the ability to enact smoke-free ordinances that are more protective than state law. With this change, Pennsylvania
joins 39 states that do not preempt local governments from adopting more stringent smoke-free rules than state.
We invite you to take action through our site and social media channels. These venues allow you to quickly and
effectively communicate with colleagues and decision makers. www.psna.org/take-action
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