Section 96 HPC Nurse Compact Study

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, not later than June 15, 2021, the health policy commission, in consultation with the board of registration in nursing, shall conduct an analysis and issue a report evaluating the commonwealth's entry into the nurse licensure compact. The study shall include, but not be limited to: (i) an analysis of registered nurse and licensed practical nurse job vacancies in the commonwealth broken down by practice specialization, and projected vacancies based on the demographics of the commonwealth's nursing workforce and nursing school graduate retention rates; (ii) an analysis of whether entry into the nurse licensure compact would increase the commonwealth's emergency and pandemic preparedness; (iii) an analysis of other states' entry into the nurse licensure compact and any impact on quality of care resulting from entry; (iv) an evaluation of the number of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses granted a temporary license under the emergency orders issued by the governor and the commissioner of public health pursuant to the governor's March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency and the number of disciplinary actions taken by the board of registration in nursing on such nurses; (v) a comparison of the board of registration in nursing's oversight, background check and licensing authority under the emergency orders issued by the governor and the commissioner of public health pursuant the governor's March 10, 2020 declaration of a state of emergency and upon entry into the nurse licensure compact; (vi) an analysis of the ability of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses in the commonwealth to provide follow-up care across state lines, including via telehealth; (vii) an analysis of impacts to health care quality, cost and access resulting from other states' entry into the nurse licensure compact, as well as anticipated impacts to health care quality, cost and access associated with entry into the nurse licensure compact by the commonwealth; and (viii) recommendations regarding the commonwealth's entry into the nurse licensure compact. The report shall be filed with the speaker of the house of representatives, the senate president, the house and senate committees on ways and means and the joint committee on health care financing.