PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 426, 1236
PRINTER'S NO. 1474
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
389
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY OBERLANDER, JAMES, BARRAR, BOBACK, V. BROWN,
D. COSTA, DAVIS, DUSH, FREEMAN, GERGELY, GINGRICH, HARPER,
A. HARRIS, J. HARRIS, HELM, HENNESSEY, KAUFFMAN, KORTZ,
MILLARD, MURT, GABLER, PASHINSKI, PETRARCA, PICKETT, SAYLOR,
SNYDER, WARD, HANNA, PHILLIPS-HILL, LONGIETTI, DiGIROLAMO,
MILNE, READSHAW, QUIGLEY, SAINATO, M. K. KELLER, WATSON,
FARRY AND SCHLEGEL CULVER, FEBRUARY 9, 2015
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
MAY 6, 2015
AN ACT
Amending the act of April 27, 1905 (P.L.312, No.218), entitled
"An act creating a Department of Health, and defining its
powers and duties," establishing the office of Chief Nursing
Officer of the Commonwealth and providing for its powers and
duties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1(a) of the act of April 27, 1905
(P.L.312, No.218), entitled "An act creating a Department of
Health, and defining its powers and duties," amended July 2,
1996 (P.L.518, No.87), is amended and the section is amended by
adding a subsection to read:
Section 1. Be it enacted, &c., (a) The Department of Health
shall consist of a Secretary of Health, an advisory board [and],
a Physician General and a Chief Nursing Officer of the
Commonwealth as required under subsection (c.1) .
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(c.1) There shall be an office of Chief Nursing Officer of
the Commonwealth within the administrative structure of the
department. The Chief Nursing Officer of the Commonwealth shall
be appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent
of the Senate , except the office shall remain vacant if the
secretary is a registered nurse . The department shall provide
adequate staff and other support as needed. The Chief Nursing
Officer of the Commonwealth shall be a graduate of an accredited
school of nursing and shall , at a minimum, be a practicing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepared registered nurse
licensed by the Commonwealth. NURSE LICENSED BY THE
COMMONWEALTH. THE CHIEF NURSING OFFICER SHALL BE A REGISTERED
NURSE WITH AN UNENCUMBERED LICENSE ISSUED BY THE COMMONWEALTH
WHO HAS AT LEAST 10 YEARS OF WORKING EXPERIENCE AS A REGISTERED
NURSE AND WHO HAS AN ADVANCED DEGREE IN NURSING OR PUBLIC
HEALTH. The Chief Nursing Officer of the Commonwealth shall
serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Chief Nursing Officer
of the Commonwealth shall:
(1) Advise the Governor and the secretary on health policy.
(2) Participate in the decision-making process of the
department on policies relating to all nursing and public
health-related issues and in the decision-making process of
other executive branch agencies as directed by the Governor.
(3) Review professional standards and practices in nursing
and public health which are related to matters within the
jurisdiction of the department and other executive branch
agencies.
(4) Consult with recognized experts on nursing and public
health matters which are within the jurisdiction of the
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department and other executive branch agencies.
(5) Provide advice on nursing and public health issues to
the secretary and to other executive branch agencies.
(6) Coordinate educational, informational and other programs
for the promotion of wellness, public health and related nursing
issues in this Commonwealth and serve as the primary advocate
for these programs.
(7) Consult with experts in this Commonwealth and other
states regarding health care research, innovation and
development which relate to programs and issues of importance to
the department and the Commonwealth.
(8) Perform such other duties as directed by the Governor.
(9) When the secretary is not a nurse, serve as a voting
member of the State Board of Nursing. The Chief Nursing Officer
of the Commonwealth may provide a designee to serve in his or
her stead. The salary and other conditions of employment shall
be set by the Executive Board.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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