Senate committee reviews Board of Nursing rules, alcohol‑testing and in‑home COVID vaccination authority

Department of Health and Board of Nursing staff reviewed amendments to multiple chapters of nursing rules — including updated definitions to reflect recent acts, fee waivers for initial licensure and cleanup language tied to 2021 legislation. Board counsel explained that some statutory language is repeated in rule for clarity because practitioners are more likely to consult rules than statutes.

Department staff also reviewed an updated rule listing approved alcohol‑testing instrumentation and certification standards, and environmental staff presented a septic‑tank cleaner rule that implements 2021 legislative changes. The Department of Human Services reviewed an emergency rule that authorizes home‑health agencies and pharmacy providers to administer COVID‑19 vaccinations in patients’ homes or comparable settings; witnesses said the emergency rule had already been approved by an executive subcommittee and is intended to ensure homebound individuals retain access to vaccines.

Committee members asked procedural questions about timing for high‑school LPN pilot rules and why some statutory language was repeated in rule; staff responded that the high‑school pilot rule is on the governor’s desk and that repeating key statutory definitions in rule improves practitioner accessibility.

In each case, the committee recorded the rule review "with no objection."