Pa. Senate committee sends interstate health care licensing bill to chamber floor for consideration

(Getty Images)

Legislation that could knock down a barrier to Pennsylvania’s full participation in an interstate agreement to allow nurses to practice in other states was unanimously approved Tuesday in a state Senate committee.

House Bill 2381 would give state licensure boards the authority to create temporary regulations necessary to implement interstate compacts recognizing the licenses of professionals from other states. The bill passed in the state House with a 177-25 vote in June.

The Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee vote Tuesday sends the bill to the full Senate for consideration.

Rep. Brandon Markosek (D-Allegheny), the bill’s prime sponsor, said it would create flexibility for nurses and other health care professions, especially those in military families, to find work where and when they need it. The temporary regulations would expire three years after they are implemented.

A second bill sponsored by state Sen. Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton) would address issues involved in criminal background checks for Pennsylvania nurses who want to work in other states.

For about a year nurses licensed in each of Pennsylvania’s neighboring states except New York have been able to work in Pennsylvania if they have obtained a multistate license in their home state.

And although Pennsylvania passed legislation in 2021 that would allow Pennsylvania licensed nurses to work in other states, a communication breakdown between the Department of State and the FBI remains a barrier to full reciprocity, Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt told the House Appropriations Committee in February.

The impasse has also affected a similar agreement to allow Pennsylvania-licensed physicians to work in other states. It has been in limbo since legislation authorizing Pennsylvania to join became law in 2016.

Boscola’s bill passed the Senate in June with a 46-4 vote. It is awaiting final approval in the House, which is scheduled to return to session Sept. 23 but will not hold votes until Oct. 1.