JUNEAU – The Alaska House Majority passed House Bill 237 (HB 237) today, a crucial legislative stride aimed at addressing a significant gap in the licensing process for nurses in the state. This bill focuses on amending current Alaska statutes to empower the Alaska Board of Nursing to issue nonrenewable temporary permits, valid for up to six months, to nurses seeking reinstatement of lapsed licenses under AS 08.68.251.
House Health and Social Services Chair Representative Mike Prax (R-North Pole), underscores the importance of HB 237, stating, “The passage of House Bill 237 would help nurses get back to work much faster. Currently, a nurse seeking license reinstatement in Alaska is not allowed to be issued a nonrenewable temporary permit. At the same time, a nurse seeking a license for the first time in Alaska can be issued a temporary permit. It would make sense to allow both new and returning nurses the opportunity for a temporary permit.”
This amendment provides a streamlined pathway for nurses returning to the workforce, aligning the process with that of new license applicants. By allowing temporary permits for nurses with lapsed licenses, HB 237 ensures quicker reintegration into vital healthcare roles, benefiting both the professionals and the communities they serve.