Bill#34-0040 Establishing the Nurse Licensure Compact in the VI Code

This piece of legislation is now Bill#34-0040 sent by Governor Albert Bryan Jr. and sponsored by Senator Kurt Vialet. It has the approval of the Health, Hospitals and Human Services Committee and the Committee on Rules and Judiciary; it is on its way to the Committee of the Whole for final enactment and addition to the VI Code as new legislation.

Bill#34-0040 came to VISNA's attention after it became a bill and received favorable consideration from the Commissioner of Health and both hospital CEOs. The premise for their approval was additional staff with lessened licensure red tape. VIBNL did not have a position as yet as it was an entirely new Board just learning their responsibilities but the implementation authority for the Compact rests with Boards of Nursing. VISNA sees the value of the legislation but is concerned about the impact on collective bargaining agreements specifically and feels there should be more nurse member input in general.

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