SCS/SB 824 - This act expands the list of reasons that may cause the Board to file a complaint against a licensed nurse. The act also allows the Missouri State Board of Nursing to establish an intervention program and an alternative program for the identification, intervention, treatment, and monitoring of nurses and applicants for a nursing license who have a substance use disorder.
Eligibility in either program is available upon Board discretion. The intervention program is available to certain individuals as set forth in the act and shall be a minimum of 1 year in duration. The alternative program is available to licensees and applicants for licensure who admit to having a substance use disorder. The program shall be from 3 to 5 years in duration.
If an individual declines enrollment in either program, the Board may proceed with its regular process of investigating a complaint or application.
Upon successful completion of either program, the licensee shall be deemed to have no disciplinary action against his or her license and shall not be required to disclose participation in the program. All records shall be deemed confidential and are not public records.
If a licensee or applicant violates any term of the intervention program or alternative program and denies the violation, the Board may convene a hearing to determine whether such violation has occurred. If a violation is found or is admitted to, the licensee's license shall be indefinitely suspended or the applicant's application shall not be acted upon until the licensee or applicant continues to fully participate in the intervention program or alternative program, has one year with no positive drug or alcohol screens, and completes a sobriety notebook.
If a licensee does not successfully complete the intervention program, the Board may pursue disciplinary action and the licensee shall not be eligible to participate in the alternative program. If an applicant does not successfully complete the intervention program, the Board may issue an order against the applicant. An applicant subject to an order issued by the Board shall not be eligible to participate in the alternative program.
If a licensee does not successfully complete the alternative program, the Board may pursue disciplinary action against the licensee. If an applicant does not successfully complete the alternative program, the Board may issue an order against the applicant.
The statute of limitations for disciplinary proceedings shall be tolled while a licensee or applicant is participating in the intervention program or the alternative program.
This act is identical to provisions in the truly agreed CCS/SS/SCS/HB 1719 (2018) and similar to HB 2300 (2018).
JAMIE ANDREWS