Dear Members:  

Here's the  NLC update in PA:  Unfortunately HB 2543 died in the House at the end of 2006 session. I have been in touch with the Honorable Representative Art Hershey, he was the individual who originally introduced the bill March 17, 2006 with a large number of  Representatives also supporting the bill. Rep Hershey plans to re-introduce the bill in 2007-2008 session. PAAOHN continues to offer their support to him in the process.  I am asking each of you continue to support the NLC with your local state legislators. I would love to for you to email me updates on those grassroots efforts!  

In January PAAOHN President, Kim Olzsewski and  I initiated a conference call with the PA State Board of Nursing, we spoke with Mary Bowen, Laurette Keiser and Commissioner Merenda. We were very happy to hear Commissioner Merenda report the State Board is very much "for portability of Licensure" . This call provided us with the opportunity to open the dialogue with the State Board to better understand their specific concerns surrounding the NLC legislation . I will be working with the NCSBN to prepare a reply to the State Board of Nursing to address these areas of concern.  Our organization will continue to offer our support as we we all work toward this now common goal. 

I urge you if you have a special interest in legislation and are interested in becoming more involved in the grassroots efforts of PAAOHN to contact me!   The Basic Steps of our grassroots efforts in PA:

• Know the profession’s main public policy issue(s);
• Identify priority issues;
• Build a relationship with government officials and other associations;
• Broaden your network of champions/support; and
• Keep going back.

Please visit www.paaohn.org website legislative updates will be posted as they become available.