WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 2480

An Act regarding registered nurse first assistants

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by David Linsky

Massachusetts bill H 2480 establishes regulatory framework governing Registered Nurse First Assistants' surgical and procedural responsibilities in healthcare settings.

Hearing rescheduled to 07/14/2025 from 01:00 PM-06:05 PM in A-1 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 2480

Legislative bill overview

H 2480 addresses the regulation and scope of practice for Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFAs) in Massachusetts. The bill was referred to the Public Health committee in February 2025 and has undergone multiple hearing reschedules, indicating ongoing legislative consideration of this nursing role's clinical responsibilities and regulatory framework.

Why is this important

RNFAs perform specialized surgical and procedural assistance roles that sit between general nursing and physician practice, affecting both healthcare delivery capacity and patient safety standards. Clarifying their legal scope of practice impacts hospital staffing models, surgical scheduling, nursing education requirements, and healthcare costs across Massachusetts medical facilities.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of practice boundaries — Defining exactly which surgical and procedural tasks RNFAs can independently perform versus requiring physician oversight, which affects liability and safety protocols
  • Licensing and credentialing requirements — Whether additional certification, training hours, or educational prerequisites should be mandated, impacting workforce availability and training costs
  • Interprofessional dynamics — Potential concerns from physician groups about nurse autonomy expansion versus nursing advocacy for expanded RNFA roles to address surgical staffing shortages

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.