Columbus – Senator Charleta B. Tavares (D–Columbus) and joint sponsor Senator Scott Oelslager (R–North Canton) successfully passed Senate Bill 83, the Advanced Practice Nurse Bill, out of the Senate today with a 23 to one vote. Senate Bill 83 will modify the authority of an Advanced Practice Nurse to prescribe schedule II drugs in specified medical facilities.
“Senate Bill 83 provides another option to expand comprehensive health care to Ohio’s residents,” said Senator Tavares. “Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) will become a part of the medical team with collaborating physicians to prescribe schedule II-V drugs in Ohio; joining 33 other states.”
Senate Bill 83 is Senator Tavares’ first bill to pass out of the Senate. The bill will allow APN’s to prescribe schedule II drugs under a Standard Care Agreement with their collaborating physician. The physician would decide whether or not their APN could prescribe these drugs under the agreement.
Other safeguards include requiring APN’s with a certificate to prescribe to complete an additional six hours of continuing education related to schedule II medications and prescribing prior to the renewal of their license.
“We are protecting the patient while expanding health care services,” said Senator Tavares.