Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes codifying provisions included in emergency orders issued by the governor in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights:

• Defines “temporary health partner” as an individual who has been hired pursuant to federal and state waivers of certain qualifications for long-term facility staff (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes temporary health partners to work in skilled nursing facilities if the following are met (Sec. 1):

• The THP completes training of no less than 8 hours provided by a national association;

• THPs shall work under the supervision of an RN, APRN, or LPN;

• The work authorized to be performed by THPs is limited to the work set forth in this section and shall be performed in accordance with the residence care plan; and

• The THP has demonstrated competency with, as determined by the employing long-term care facility, prior to performing any activities set forth in this section.

• Prohibits THPs to perform tasks without proper training, demonstrating complacency in the tasks, or without supervision from an LNA or nurse (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the THP to perform the following once deemed complacent (Sec. 1):

• Nutrition and elimination assistance;

• Comfort care and end-of-life care;

• Activities of daily living;

• Infection control practices; and

• Positioning, moving, and restorative care.

• Authorizes the office of professional licensure and certification to issue emergency license to the following applicants (Sec. 2):

• Any medical provider previously licensed in New Hampshire in the last 3 years whose license is no longer active if their license was in good standing prior to being inactive;

• Any medical provide previously licensed to practice in another jurisdiction within the last 3 years whose license is no longer active whose license was in good standing in another United States jurisdiction prior to being inactive;

• Any fellow enrolled in a New Hampshire program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to practice within the fellow’s core specialty;

• Senior nursing students, who are schedule to graduate within 5 months from the date of application, from a board of nursing approved registered nursing or practical nursing program;

• Any provider seeking an emergency license under this section shall submit their request on a form adopted by the office of professional licensure and certification for such purpose;

• Licenses issued shall be on a temporary basis and shall expire on or before January 31, 2022; and

• All individuals licensed under this section shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the state licensing body for that profession.

• Authorizes pharmacists to administer COVID-19 testing if the following are met (Sec. 4):

• The pharmacist has adequate training to initiate, order, or administer the test;

• The tests are administered at a pharmacy that holds the appropriate laboratory amendments licensed by New Hampshire; and

• The pharmacy creates and implements policies and procedures to address the collection, storage, transport, and analysis of samples collected.

• Prohibits summer camps that were forced to operate for a shorter season or at a reduced capacity during the summer of 2020 and/or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic from losing its status as a pre-existing, non-conforming use due to the following (Sec. 5):

• Its failure to operate during the summer of 2020 and/or 2021; or

• Its operation for a shorter season or at a reduced capacity during the summer of 2020 and/or 2021.

Full Bill Text