1 New Paragraph; Respiratory Care Practice; Definitions. Amend RSA 326-E:1 by inserting after paragraph XII the following new paragraph:

XIII. "Respiratory care student" means a person who is enrolled in a respiratory care educational program.

2 New Paragraph; Respiratory Care Practice; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 326-E:2 by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraph:

VII. The temporary licensure and scope of practice of student respiratory therapists under RSA 326-E:3-a.

3 New Section; Respiratory Care Practice; Temporary Licensure for Student Respiratory Therapists. Amend RSA 326-E by inserting after section 3 the following new section:

326-E:3-a Temporary Licensure for Student Respiratory Therapists.

I. A student enrolled in a respiratory care educational program may apply for a temporary student license in accordance with rules adopted by the executive director, in consultation with the advisory board, pursuant to RSA 541-A. The student may only apply for licensure if he or she has fulfilled the didactic and clinical practicum educational requirements for his or her first full year. Such license shall only be valid for a maximum of 18 months from the date of issue or 6 months from the date of graduation, whichever is shorter.

II. The scope of practice of the student respiratory therapist is limited to those activities for which there is documented evidence of competency and only noncritical care procedures as defined by rule in consultation with and approval by the advisory board, pursuant to RSA 541-A.

III. A student who has obtained a temporary student license and who is employed in a healthcare setting may render respiratory care services only under the direct supervision of an on-site licensed respiratory care practitioner for a period of 2 months following the date of hire. After the 2 months of direct supervision have been completed, the student may render respiratory care services under the supervision of an on-site licensed physician, licensed respiratory care practitioner, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant, as defined by rule in consultation with and approval by the advisory board, pursuant to RSA 541-A.

4 Respiratory Care Practice; Exemptions from Licensure. Amend RSA 326-E:6, I(a) to read as follows:

(a) A person matriculated in an education program approved by the board who is pursuing a degree in respiratory care or respiratory therapy from satisfying supervised clinical education requirements related to the person's respiratory care education while under direct supervision of a respiratory care practitioner or physician.

5 Respiratory Care Practice; Responsibilities of the Respiratory Care Practitioner. Amend RSA 326-E:8, III to read as follows:

III. Each licensee shall provide his or her employer with a copy of his or her license, conditional license, current renewal verification or proof of reinstatement of license. This copy shall be available for public review upon request. The employer shall maintain a list of all persons providing respiratory care at his or her facility for review by the executive director upon request.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 New Paragraph; Respiratory Care Practice; Definitions. Amend RSA 326-E:1 by inserting after paragraph XII the following new paragraph:

XIII. "Respiratory care student" means a person who is enrolled in a respiratory care educational program.

2 New Paragraph; Respiratory Care Practice; Rulemaking. Amend RSA 326-E:2 by inserting after paragraph VI the following new paragraph:

VII. The temporary licensure and scope of practice of student respiratory therapists under RSA 326-E:3-a.

3 New Section; Respiratory Care Practice; Temporary Licensure for Student Respiratory Therapists. Amend RSA 326-E by inserting after section 3 the following new section:

326-E:3-a Temporary Licensure for Student Respiratory Therapists.

I. A student enrolled in a respiratory care educational program may apply for a temporary student license in accordance with rules adopted by the executive director, in consultation with the advisory board, pursuant to RSA 541-A. The student may only apply for licensure if he or she has fulfilled the didactic and clinical practicum educational requirements for his or her first full year. Such license shall only be valid for a maximum of 18 months from the date of issue or 6 months from the date of graduation, whichever is shorter.

II. The scope of practice of the student respiratory therapist is limited to those activities for which there is documented evidence of competency and only noncritical care procedures as defined by rule in consultation with and approval by the advisory board, pursuant to RSA 541-A.

III. A student who has obtained a temporary student license and who is employed in a healthcare setting may render respiratory care services only under the direct supervision of an on-site licensed respiratory care practitioner for a period of 2 months following the date of hire. After the 2 months of direct supervision have been completed, the student may render respiratory care services under the supervision of an on-site licensed physician, licensed respiratory care practitioner, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant, as defined by rule in consultation with and approval by the advisory board, pursuant to RSA 541-A.

4 Respiratory Care Practice; Exemptions from Licensure. Amend RSA 326-E:6, I(a) to read as follows:

(a) A person matriculated in an education program approved by the board who is pursuing a degree in respiratory care or respiratory therapy from satisfying supervised clinical education requirements related to the person's respiratory care education while under direct supervision of a respiratory care practitioner or physician. Respiratory care services may be performed without a license by a student when these services are related to the clinical aspect of a student 's course of study.

5 Respiratory Care Practice; Responsibilities of the Respiratory Care Practitioner. Amend RSA 326-E:8, III to read as follows:

III. Each licensee shall provide his or her employer with a copy of his or her license, conditional license, temporary student license, current renewal verification or proof of reinstatement of license. This copy shall be available for public review upon request. The employer shall maintain a list of all persons providing respiratory care at his or her facility for review by the executive director upon request.

6 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.