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Read. Follow. Verify.Ohio HB 449 Enacts the Better Access to Health Care Act to Modify Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Laws
Last action · October 1, 2025: Referred to HealthSponsors: Tim Barhorst and 1 other
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What This Bill Would Do
The bill allows certain advanced practice registered nurses—specifically clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and certified nurse practitioners—to practice without a after completing 2,000 hours of clinical practice under a standard care arrangement. It updates statutory requirements for nursing practice, hospital admissions, insurance reimbursement, and concussion protocols for student and youth sports.
Advanced practice registered nurses who meet experience thresholds gain the ability to practice independently without physician collaboration agreements, altering staffing models and operational requirements for health care facilities across the state.
- The Ohio General Assembly is the state legislature responsible for enacting and amending the Ohio Revised Code. context
- Advanced practice registered nurses in Ohio historically operated under mandatory collaboration agreements and standard care arrangements with physicians. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Advanced practice registered nurses
Eligible advanced practice registered nurses gain the option to practice without a standard care arrangement and collaborating physicians after meeting clinical hour thresholds.
Hospitals and health care facilities
Facilities must adjust credentialing, hospital admission privileges, and employment arrangements to reflect modified supervisory and collaborative structures for nurses.
Insurers and health insuring corporations
Insurers must ensure compliance with mandatory coverage provisions for maternity care and provider reimbursement requirements.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to practice without a standard care arrangement under this bill?
Can advanced practice registered nurses pronounce death under the legislation?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
2 actions- Oct 1, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Health
- Sep 15, 2025HouseIntroducedIntroduced
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Transition to Independent Practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses
The legislation creates a distinct pathway for clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives, and certified nurse practitioners to practice without a standard care arrangement after completing 2,000 hours of qualifying clinical work.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.legislature.ohio.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy45Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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