Legislative Update, April 20, 2012

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National Nurse Licensure Compact
The Compact is still moving on two different tracks. 1) A stand-alone bill is moving in both bodies, and passed a key committee in the House on Wednesday and passed the full Senate on Thursday. We anticipate it will be up for a full floor vote in the House very soon.  2) The Compact is also part of the Senate version of the Health and Human Services Omnibus Bill.

The Omnibus bill is currently in conference committee, where legislators are working out the differences between the two versions. As the conference committee wraps up its work, we are hopeful that the Compact will be removed from the HHS omnibus bill.

The most important thing you can do to stop the Compact from putting your patients and your profession at risk is to CALL THE GOVERNOR TODAY at 651-201-3400. The Governor is on record opposing this bill and has not to our knowledge changed his position. But we need to give him as much support as we can so he can do the right thing with confidence. If you haven’t done this already, it will just take a minute. Tell the person who answers (or the voicemail) your name, that you’re a registered nurse, and that you oppose the Nurse Licensure Compact, and thank the Governor for his position on the issue.

Health and Human Services Omnibus/Willmar
In addition to the Compact, the fate of the Willmar State Operated Services mental health facility is at stake in the HHS Omnibus Bill conference committee negotiations. Last session as part of the budget balancing deal, Willmar was slated for closure in March of 2012. MNA nurses and lobbyists have worked together with lobbyists and workers from other unions to keep Willmar open, and as a result the House version of the HHS Omnibus Bill contains language to keep the much-needed facility open. MNA lobbyists and nurses are working to keep the language in the final bill.

Felony Criminal Neglect of Vulnerable Adult
MNA nurses helped make history this week, as Minnesota became the first state to declare criminal neglect of a vulnerable adult a felony while also protecting the rights of healthcare workers. Gov. Mark Dayton signed the bill, SF1586, Criminal Felony Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult, into law on Wednesday.

This bill was truly a bipartisan and cooperative effort, and a great example of how legislators can reach across the aisle to work together and improve the lives of the people they are elected to represent.

MNA nurses worked closely with Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman (DFL), Health and Human Services Reform Chair Steve Gottwalt (GOP-St. Cloud), other health care unions and long term care facilities to come to a compromise over strengthening the punishment for those guilty of criminally neglecting a vulnerable adult. The compromise was an effort between all parties to protect the rights of workers in cases of understaffing, while giving the county attorney the right to charge someone who intends to neglect a vulnerable adult with a felony as opposed to a gross misdemeanor. Minnesota is the first state to make this crime a felony while protecting the rights of the workers.

Right to Work
There was a brief, failed attempt during a Vikings stadium debate to resurrect the Right to Work amendment earlier this week, and today Rep. Doug Wardlow (GOP-Eagan) introduced a new and more extensive “Right to Work” bill. There are several procedural hoops the author would have to jump through to move the bill, so MNA and other labor lobbyists are busy confirming that all of our DFL and GOP allies are aware and present to vote down any attempts to pass this new bill.

Regional Action Councils – Nurses mobilizing around policy and politics
As you’ve followed the action during this legislative session and campaign season have you wondered how you can get involved on behalf of nurses and patients?

Nurses are forming six Regional Action Councils around the state to mobilize around policies and candidates that are good for nurses, patients and working families. The RACs will soon begin screening and accountability process for candidates seeking MNA’s endorsement. It is critical that nurses take advocacy beyond the bedside, and weigh in on the policies that affect our practice and patients.

If you are interested in learning more about the Regional Action Council for your area, please contact: