AN ACT relating to nurses.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Duvall and 1 co-sponsor

HB 192 would modify nursing regulation in Kentucky, likely affecting scope of practice, licensure requirements, and professional standards for RNs and APRNs.

to Health Services (H)

#boardsandcommissions #drugsandmedicines #healthandmedicalservices #healthcareprofessionals #nurses #physicians

Summary of HB 192 (2026 Session, Kentucky)

Purpose and intent

HB 192 is an act relating to nurses. While the specific language of the bill is not provided here, bills with this title typically aim to address the regulation, scope of practice, licensure, certification, or professional standards for registered nurses (RNs), advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), or other nursing roles within Kentucky. The bill’s journey indicates introduction in the House on January 7, 2026, and assignment to Health Services (H) on January 13, 2026, with initial referral to the Committee on Committees.

Key provisions (anticipated types of changes)

Because the exact text is not provided, potential provisions in a bill of this kind may include, but are not limited to:
- Scope of practice adjustments for nurses, including APRNs (e.g., prescriptive authority, independent practice, or collaborative agreements).
- licensure and certification processes (renewal requirements, continuing education, especially for nurse practitioners and specialty areas).
- Standards of professional practice and patient safety requirements.
- Credentialing, delegation, and supervision rules for nurses working in diverse settings (hospitals, clinics, long-term care, telehealth, etc.).
- Administrative provisions (fee schedules, renewal timelines, disciplinary processes, and grounds for revocation or suspension of licensure).
- Workforce or policy objectives (incentives for processing times, telemedicine provisions, or expansion of nursing roles to address workforce shortages).

Who would be affected

Registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) practicing in Kentucky.

Healthcare facilities employing nurses (hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, etc.).

Professional licensing boards or state agencies responsible for nursing licensure and regulation.

Patients and the wider healthcare system, potentially impacting access to care, especially in underserved areas or under telehealth provisions.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction: January 7, 2026 in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Referral: January 7, 2026 to the Committee on Committees (H) and subsequently to the Health Services Committee (H) on January 13, 2026.

Next steps (typical): If assigned to Health Services, the bill would undergo committee hearings, possible amendments, and votes. If advanced, it would proceed to the House floor for consideration and potentially to the Senate, where similar process would occur.

Notes and caveats

The summary above reflects common features of nursing-related legislation and the limited action history provided. The exact provisions, their precise language, and fiscal impact require review of the bill’s text, fiscal note, and committee amendments.

Stakeholders to watch include nursing associations, healthcare facilities, patient advocacy groups, and the Kentucky Board of Nursing, as they typically engage on licensure, scope of practice, and patient safety provisions.

If you’d like, I can refine this with the actual bill text or fiscal note to provide precise provision-by-provision details.