Legislative Updates
2020 Legislative Updates-Week 3
HB 1006: Tobacco, E-Liquids, and Vaping Bill
HB 1006 successfully passed out of the House on this week (84-14) and will continue on to the Senate during the second half of session. The bill, originally brought by Representative Cindy Kirchhofer (R-Beech Grove), now has over thirty co-authors and will be sponsored by Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) in the Senate. HB 1006 raises the legal age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21, triples the monetary penalties for retailers selling people who are underage, and revokes a tobacco license from repeat retail offenders. In addition, the bill prohibits a tobacco business from locating within 1,000 feet of a school (after June 30, 2020), and requires a seller of tobacco products to verify the age of a purchaser who appears to be less than 30 years of age. Read the full bill
HB 1067: Dental Hygienists
As mentioned last week, HB 1067 was unanimously voted out of the House and will continue on to the Senate for the second half of session. This dental hygienist “cleanup” bill clarifies under what circumstances hygienists and assistants can administer Nitrous Oxide, restates restrictions on use of a laser by a dental hygienist, and provides that a dental hygienist may administer topical local dental anesthetics, other than nitrous oxide or similar analgesics, without supervision. Senator Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg) will sponsor the bill during the second half of session (with additional co-sponsors pending), and we will continue to update you on its progress. Read the full bill
HB 1008: Occupational Licensure Reciprocity
HB 1008 seeks to eliminate barriers to licensure for regulated professions, including dentistry. The bill, introduced by Representative Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne), would require a board to issue a license to an individual who: (1) is licensed in another state or jurisdiction in the regulated occupation; (2) has established residency; (3) has passed a substantially equivalent examination; (4) is and has been in good standing; (5) pays a fee; and (6) completes the licensure application form. The IDA has taken a firm position against this bill, with Ed Popcheff testifying in opposition during the Employment, Labor, and Pension Committee meeting last week. Several other professional groups have expressed concern and dislike, and the bill was recently covered in an Indiana Business Journal (IBJ) article. In yesterday’s second Committee hearing on the bill, Representative Carbaugh expressed a desire to make the bill more palatable to regulated professions, adding an amendment which: (1) replaces the term “reciprocity” with “endorsement;” (2) requires a background check to maintain the endorsement; and (3) ensures that if a professional licensing board has entered into a National Reciprocal or EP Endorsement with more than one state, those existing agreements remain in effect. HB 1008 was voted out of Committee (9-2) and is eligible for a second reading as early as Monday January 27. Representative Carbaugh’s amendment is a good step in the right direction, but the IDA will continue to oppose the bill in favor of CODA accreditation. Read the full bill
2020 Legislative Updates-Week 2
HB 1067: Dental Hygienists, Nitrous Oxide, Prescriptive Supervision
The IDA had its first “win” this week when Representative Dr. Zent’s HB 1067 passed out of the House unanimously on Tuesday. The bill will now make its way through the Senate during the second half of session. This dental hygienist “cleanup” bill clarifies under what circumstances hygienists and assistants can administer nitrous oxide, restates restrictions on use of a laser by a dental hygienist, and provides that a dental hygienist may administer topical local dental anesthetics, other than nitrous oxide or similar analgesics, without supervision. We will continue to update you on the status of this IDA-sponsored bill as it moves through the Senate.
HB 1110: Health Workforce Student Loan Repayment Program
Representative Ethan Manning’s (R-Peru) HB 1110 would create (1) the health workforce student loan repayment program, (2) the health workforce council, and (3) the health workforce student loan repayment program fund. This initiative would be funded by increased license fees—as determined by each licensure period—and sets forth strict eligibility requirements for members of the healthcare profession. The professional licensing agency would be charged with administering the program, and the bill would simultaneously repeal the primary care physician loan forgiveness program, the mental health services development program, and the dental underserved area and minority recruitment program.
To reach out and encourage your representative to hear this bill, click here.
SB 1, HB 1006 and Others: Tobacco/Vaping/E-liquids
This week featured small victories against “Big Tobacco.” In an 11-0 vote, members of the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee endorsed SB 1; one of the many tobacco, vaping, and e-liquid initiatives introduced this session. Both the House and Senate tobacco bills have three main objectives: raising the legal age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21, tripling the monetary penalties for retailers selling people who are underage, and possibly revoking a tobacco license from repeat retail offenders. Both the House and Senate Bills have passed through committee, but have yet to be voted to the secondary house by a voice vote.
2020 Legislative Updates-Week 1
HB 1067: Dental Hygienists, Nitrous Oxide, Prescriptive Supervision
HB 1067 sponsored by Representatives Dr. Denny Zent, Robin Shackleford, and cosponsored by Ed Clere and Dr. Rita Fleming, passed unanimously through the Public Health Committee last Wednesday, a great step in our collaborative approach to improving the dental team. Representative Dr. Brad Barrett commented on the IDA-IDHA joint effort, stating, “I think it’s refreshing that both entities have come together and worked this out prior to it coming to committee… its very refreshing that the stakeholders have agreed on this and brought it to us in such a nice fashion.” HB 1067 will proceed on to a House vote before making its way over to the Senate. View video of testimony
SB 41: Definition of Dentistry
The IDA is currently petitioning the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee to hear SB 41, our proposed “Definition of Dentistry” bill. Carried by Senator Merritt, the bill seeks to modify existing language with wording suggested by the ADA. Specifically, the new language would dictate that a person “practices dentistry if the person offers to diagnose, professes to diagnose, treats, or professes to treat any lesion or disease of the oral and maxillofacial region or associated and adjacent structures.” Want to help? Reach out to your Senator with this link and encourage them to hear the bill.
HB 1110: Health Workforce Student Loan Repayment Program
Representative Ethan Manning’s (R-Peru) HB 1110 would create (1) the health workforce student loan repayment program, (2) the health workforce council, and (3) the health workforce student loan repayment program fund. This initiative would be funded by increased license fees—as determined by each licensure period—and sets forth strict eligibility requirements for members of the healthcare profession. The professional licensing agency would be charged with administering the program, and the bill would simultaneously repeal the primary care physician loan forgiveness program, the mental health services development program, and the dental underserved area and minority recruitment program.
To reach out and encourage your representative to hear this bill, click here.
HB 1008: Licensure Reciprocity
Representative Martin Carbaugh has introduced a bill that would streamline the licensing process for individuals with a professional license in another locality who wish to relocate to Indiana. While generally supportive of measures that ease license portability, IDA is concerned the measure fails to address important issues for dentistry, including applicants licensed in states or countries that have lower educational or accrediting standards. The proposal is being reviewed by IDA’s Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday.
HB 1149: Dental Screenings and Services in Schools
Rep. Woody Burton has introduced a measure would require school corporations to enter into agreements with dentists who would come to each school and provide free screenings to all K-12 students. Comprehensive services would also be made available with parents responsible for cost. While the bill in well-intentioned, there is potential for a significant burden on public schools. IDA is also concerned about potential for disrupting existing dentist-patient relationships. The proposal is being reviewed by IDA’s Governmental Affairs Committee on Friday.
SB 98: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists
Prior to the legislative session, a preliminary draft was released that included a proposal to allow dentists to supervise Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA). This measure has been introduced in the past and the IDA has historically asked to be removed. This bill is being heard during the 2020 Indiana Session; the IDA was successful in keeping dentists out of this controversial public policy. In a recent Senate Committee meeting, the Indiana Society of Anesthesiology objected to this bill as a major expansion of the scope of practice for a CRNA and has vehemently opposed this action.
HB 1006, SB 1, and Others
The federal government recently signed in a new law official raising the legal age to purchase tobacco from 18 to 21 years of age. The State of Indiana seeks to replicate this, ensuring that Indiana citizens are protected, regardless of federal law. There have been a number of bills introduced that cover this topic, which include: increased penalties for retailers selling to underage buyers, increased charges and penalties for possession, and many other repercussions. HB 1006 sponsored by Representative Cindy Kirchhofer, Chair of the Public Health Committee, passed out of the Health Committee just yesterday. Several other bills are scheduled to be heard on this topic, and the IDA will monitor these closely—sending updates as needed. Keep an eye out for an IDA communication urging you to contact your representative about this issue in the following week.
Thank you for being an advocate for both your profession and your patients. We look forward to serving you during the 2020 session.
LEARN MORE
More Details
Want more details about these bills? Visit the Indiana General Assembly website.
Sign Up for Legislative Alerts
Get the latest legislative updates, including grassroots initiatives, by subscribing to IDA Legislative Alerts.
State Representative (and IDA member) Dr. Denny Zent and IDA Executive Director Doug Bush at the Statehouse.