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LB 281

Change provisions relating to the Board of Nursing and eliminate the Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

109th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Dan Quick

Consolidates APRN regulation under the Board of Nursing, expands its makeup with more APRN and public members, and sets phased APRN terms starting 2026.

Title printed. Carryover bill
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Bill Summary · LB 281

Legislative Bill Summary – LB 281 (Nebraska, 109th Legislature, 2025)

Overview

  • Title: Change provisions relating to the Board of Nursing and eliminate the Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
  • Purpose: Eliminate the Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN Board) and transfer its duties to the Board of Nursing. Expand the Board of Nursing to include more members, specifically increasing APRN representation and adding a public member.
  • Introduced: January 15, 2025
  • Hearing: Notice of hearing for February 19, 2025 (Committee: Health and Human Services, Chairman: Senator Brian Hardin)
  • Principal Introducer: Senator Dan Quick

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Consolidate governance: Move all regulatory duties from the Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to the Board of Nursing.
  • Board expansion: Increase the size and diversity of the Board of Nursing by:
    • Adding one additional public member
    • Adding three additional advanced practice registered nurses
  • Align governance with updated professional representation and oversight needs for nursing practice, including APRN roles (e.g., nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse anesthetists, certified nurse-midwives).

Key Provisions and Changes

Elimination and Transfer of Duties

  • Eliminate the Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses.
  • Transfer all duties and responsibilities formerly held by the APRN Board to the Board of Nursing.

Board Composition (Expansion)

  • Board of Nursing would be expanded to include:
    • One additional public member (increasing public representation)
    • Three additional advanced practice registered nurses (APRN members)
  • The bill retains a mix of licensed nurses and APRN professionals on the Board to reflect nursing practice across settings (acute care, long-term care, community-based care).

Statutory Revisions and Naming

  • Several statutory sections (38-204, 38-605, 38-703, 38-904, and related sections) are amended to reflect the Board of Nursing as the single regulatory entity after consolidation.
  • The term “Board” is aligned to mean the Board of Nursing (with Advanced Practice Registered Nurses included within the Board’s scope post-consolidation).

APRN Representation and Terms (Post-Transfer)

  • The Board’s composition and terms for APRN representatives are updated, including:
    • A structured term schedule for APRN members beginning January 1, 2026 (initial terms of three, four, and five years, followed by five-year terms for subsequent appointments).
    • Preferred APRN representation categories: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). If one category is not possible, vacancies may be filled based on the applicant pool.
  • Each APRN member must meet specific qualifications (minimum years of APRN experience, active licensure, current employment in APRN roles).

Qualifications and Membership Requirements

  • The bill preserves general standards for board membership (e.g., licensure in Nebraska, relevant professional experience, and current practice status) while adjusting to the merged Board structure.
  • The Nebraska Legislature intends to ensure that board membership reflects different care settings (acute, long-term, community-based).

Affected Entities and Stakeholders

  • Primary: Board of Nursing (Nebraska), Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (to be eliminated)
  • Affected Professionals: Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN roles such as NP, CNS, CRNA, CNM), Registered Nurses, Practical Nurses
  • Consumers and Employers: Public interested in nursing practice standards, patient safety, and licensure processes
  • State Government: Nebraska Department/Division overseeing professional licensure for nursing

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Effective operative date: The bill provisions contemplate changes to take effect after enactment, with specific references to terms and representation beginning January 1, 2026 for APRN-related terms.
  • Status: Notice of hearing indicates the bill is at a consideration/markup stage with a scheduled hearing on February 19, 2025.
  • Repeals: The bill seeks to repeal the original provisions establishing the APRN Board and to repeal or harmonize related sections to reflect the consolidated Board of Nursing.

Practical Impact

  • Regulatory Efficiency: Consolidating APRN oversight under the Board of Nursing may streamline licensure, discipline, and standard-setting processes for all nursing professionals.
  • Governance and Representation: Expanded Board composition aims to ensure robust oversight with broader APRN input and increased public accountability.
  • Transitional Period: The January 1, 2026 terms framework indicates a phased transition for APRN board representation, ensuring continuity while restructuring governance.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to emphasize implications for specific groups (e.g., APRN practitioners in NP, CNS, CNM roles) or compare with current board structures.

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

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