WEST VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

2022 REGULAR SESSION

Introduced

Senate Bill 271

By Senators Rucker and Roberts

[Introduced January 14, 2022; referred
to the Committee on the Health and Human Resources; and then to the Committee on Finance]

A BILL to amend and reenact §30-7-15 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to the administration of anesthetics.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

ARTICLE 7. REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSES.

§30-7-15. Administration of anesthetics.

In any case where it is lawful for a duly licensed physician or dentist practicing medicine or dentistry under the laws of this state to administer anesthetics, such anesthetics may lawfully be given and administered by any person (a) who has been licensed to practice registered professional nursing under this article, and (b) who holds a diploma or certificate evidencing his or her successful completion of the educational program of a school of anesthesia duly accredited by the American association of nurse anesthetists: Provided, That such anesthesia is administered by such person in the presence and under the supervision of such physician or dentist

(a) The administration of anesthesia may be provided by a certified registered nurse anesthetist in cooperation with a physician or dentist. An act involving the determination, preparation, administration, or monitoring of anesthesia care and anesthesia care-related services may be lawfully provided by a certified registered nurse anesthetist who:

(1) Has been licensed to practice registered professional nursing under this article.

(2) Is licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse under this article.

(3) Has successfully completed the educational program of a school for nurse anesthetists accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.

 (4) Is board certified as a certified registered nurse anesthetist by the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists.

(b) For purposes of this section, ‘‘cooperation’’ means a process in which the certified

registered nurse anesthetist and the physician or dentist work together with each area of expertise at their individual and respective levels of education and training: Provided, That a dentist who cooperates with a certified registered nurse anesthetist are permitted as required in §30-4A-1 et seq. of this code.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to update the required credentials for a certified registered nurse anesthetist who cooperates with a physician or dentist.

Strike-throughs indicate language that would be stricken from a heading or the present law, and underscoring indicates new language that would be added.