SB 998/HB 647: Physician Assistant and Advance Practice Registered Nurse Services Summary: Physician Assistant and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Services; Revising who may file a certificate of death or fetal death; revising who may note corrected information on a permanent certificate of death or fetal death; revising the roles and responsibilities of the plan of care team in hospice programs, etc.

 Progress: SB 998 – Referred to Health Policy, Appropriations Committee on Health & Human Services, and Rules.

HB 647 – Referred to Health Professionals & Programs Subcommittee, and Health & Human Services Committee.

How will this impact APRNS?

This will change the practice for APRNs and PA within hospice care settings, especially those operating under a physician’s protocol to electronically file death or fetal death certificates when the funeral director is unavailable, or to complete medical certifications of cause of death within 72 hours after receipt of the death certificate from the funeral director. It may also impact the ability to serve as primary or attending practitioners in hospice care teams or the ability to sign DNR papers.