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OregonHB 30442025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to nursing; and prescribing an effective date.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Trained nursing assistants can give medicines

The board must provide extra training allowing nursing assistants to give noninjectable medicines. In long-term care, trained assistants can give these medicines under a nurse's direct supervision or assignment. Board standards for assigned duties must cover noninjectable medicines, including controlled drugs, and other provider-ordered tasks. In community settings, delegated procedures must be ordered by a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician. Delegating registered nurses must provide guidance, initial direction, and periodic inspection and evaluation, including for medication tasks involving controlled drugs.

Nursing assistants gain more certification paths

The nursing board may accept other health care education, training, or experience toward nursing assistant certification. Applicants must apply, have a background the board finds sufficient, and pass an approved exam. This adds to approved training and substantially equivalent military training pathways. During a Governor-declared emergency, the board may issue limited certificates to nursing assistants authorized in another jurisdiction. Emergency certificates remain subject to board rules and terms.

Nurses and assistants face license conditions

The nursing board can place conditions on nursing licenses, inactive or retired status, and nursing assistant certificates. It can also deny, suspend, or revoke credentials and impose other discipline for legal grounds. Nursing assistant disciplinary grounds are not limited to the listed examples. The board generally must follow required hearing procedures and can set probation terms.

Nurses can follow out-of-state care orders

Registered nurses providing school care through schools, education service districts, or local public health authorities can accept out-of-state provider orders. These orders must concern students enrolled for no more than 90 days. Nurses employed by or contracted with long-term care facilities or in-home care agencies have similar authority. Their orders must concern people served for no more than 90 days. Out-of-state providers must meet the nursing board's definition.

Nurses must report care-home medication concerns

Long-term care nurses must report concerns about whether continued medication is effective, needed, or safe. They must contact the provider who ordered or authorized it and seek further instructions. This covers medication dispensed by the nurse or another facility employee.

Nursing board gains fee refund flexibility

The Oregon nursing board may refund fees it collects, replacing the prior ban on refunds. Refunds are not guaranteed. The board sets emeritus license fees for nurses granted retired status. The law removes the annual-fee requirement without setting a new amount or payment schedule.

Nursing students face fewer internship hurdles

Nurse internship applicants no longer need a school-issued list of tasks they can perform. Applicants must remain enrolled in a qualifying nursing program with clinical training and have completed at least one academic term. They must meet board requirements and perform only tasks they are qualified to do. The board may charge an internship license fee, but charging one is no longer mandatory.

Qualified nurses gain temporary Oregon assignments

Qualified nurses can take one Oregon assignment serving the public benefit for up to 90 days. One renewal allows up to 90 more days, for a maximum of 180 days. Nonresident nurses must hold an out-of-state license in good standing. Former Oregon nurses qualify only if their prior license was neither revoked nor voluntarily surrendered. Employers must notify the board and certify no labor dispute; nurses must apply for Oregon licensing when hired.

Nurses face renewal rules and surcharges

Registered nurses and licensed practical nurses pay an extra $9 per exam, endorsement, or renewal to the Nursing Advancement Fund. Nursing licenses, including advanced practice licenses, require renewal every two years; limited licenses are exempt from this renewal section. Before paying, nurses must complete or document approved one-hour pain management education, or a board-approved equivalent, within the prior 36 months. The law removes the prior birthdate-based renewal deadline. The board may refund renewal fees.

Nurses gain pathways with education checks

Endorsement applicants relying on nursing school graduation must meet initial-license education standards, including applicable program approval or accreditation standards. The board can issue limited licenses to applicants who need to show they can provide safe care. It can require supervised work or approved continuing education. After applicants complete those requirements and pay renewal and delinquency fees, the board must issue a nursing license. The board must also license registered nurses as clinical nurse specialists when they meet its requirements.

Nursing schools face revised approval rules

The statutory application and approval process applies to nursing programs leading to licensure, rather than continuing education programs. The nursing board can also survey approved nursing assistant training programs at intervals it chooses. It can revoke approval when a program fails to meet board standards.

Oregon removes one nursing law provision

The law repeals ORS 678.155 effective January 1, 2026. The supplied text does not explain that section's requirements or the repeal's practical effect.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 93 • No: 1

Senate vote • 5/13/2025

Third reading. Carried by Patterson. Passed.

Yes: 27 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

Health Care: Heard and Reported Out

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 3/17/2025

Third reading. Carried by Munoz. Passed.

Yes: 53 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2025

Behavioral Health and Health Care: Heard and Reported Out with Amendments

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter 124, (2025 Laws): effective on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

    6/11/2025House

  2. Governor signed.

    5/22/2025House

  3. President signed.

    5/15/2025Senate

  4. Speaker signed.

    5/14/2025House

  5. Third reading. Carried by Patterson. Passed.

    5/13/2025Senate

  6. Carried over to 05-13 by unanimous consent.

    5/12/2025Senate

  7. Carried over to 05-12 by unanimous consent.

    5/8/2025Senate

  8. Second reading.

    5/7/2025Senate

  9. Recommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.

    5/7/2025Senate

  10. Work Session held.

    4/29/2025Senate

  11. Public Hearing held.

    4/15/2025Senate

  12. Referred to Health Care.

    3/18/2025Senate

  13. First reading. Referred to President's desk.

    3/18/2025Senate

  14. Third reading. Carried by Munoz. Passed.

    3/17/2025House

  15. Second reading.

    3/13/2025House

  16. Recommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.

    3/12/2025House

  17. Work Session held.

    3/6/2025House

  18. Public Hearing held.

    2/18/2025House

  19. Referred to Behavioral Health and Health Care.

    1/17/2025House

  20. First reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.

    1/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • HBHHC Amendment -1 (Adopted)

    3/6/2025

    PDF

  • A-Engrossed

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    PDF

  • House Amendments to Introduced

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

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