EXPAND ROLE OF NURSE PRACTITIONER

House Bill 5248

Sponsor:  Rep. Lisa Wojno

House Bill 5255

Sponsor:  Edward Gaffney, Jr.

Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 10-14-05

A REVISED SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 5248 AND 5255 AS INTRODUCED 9-29-05

House Bill 5248 would amend the Motor Carrier Safety Act (MCL 480.11a) to define the term "medical examiner," for purposes of the act, to mean an individual who was licensed, certified, or registered to practice under the laws of any state as a physician or a nurse practitioner.  Under the act, a person who drives a commercial motor vehicle must have on his or her person the original, or a photographic copy of, a valid medical examiner's certificate that he or she is physically qualified to drive a motor vehicle.

House Bill 5255 would amend the Public Health Code (MCL 333.2843) to allow a certified nurse practitioner, in certain circumstances, to complete a medical certification of a death record. 

Under the bill, whether the death occurred in or outside of an institution, the attending physician would be the first person responsible for completing the certification of death record followed by a physician acting as the attending physician's authorized representative.  If that person were not available, a certified nurse practitioner or the county medical examiner (for deaths occurring outside an institution) or chief medical officer (for deaths occurring in an institution) could complete the record.  If a certified nurse practitioner or county medical examiner or chief medical examiner were not available, the medical certification could be completed by the county health officer or deputy county medical examiner (for deaths outside an institution) or by a pathologist (for deaths occurring in an institution).

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bills 5255 and 5248 as introduced have no state or local government fiscal implications. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   Susan Stutzky

                                                                                                 Fiscal Analysts:   Susan Frey

                                                                                                                           Robin Risko

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.