This bill would amend Chapter 26 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A. to require mandatory reporting to the applicable board for nurses who have reasonable cause to believe that another nurse has violated any of the grounds for discipline spelled out below. If he/she believes a report has already been filed, an additional report is not required.

            Employers of RN’s, LPN’s, or advanced practice RN’s would be required to report to the applicable board any nurse who has been fired or allowed to resign as a result of reasons stipulated below, unless the nurse has entered a voluntary alternative to discipline program to seek treatment for impairment by chemical dependency or mental illness.

            Incidents requiring a report would include:

1.      Practicing without a current license;

2.      Practicing under a fraudulent diploma;

3.      Practicing when a license has been suspended, revoked, surrendered or revoked for failure to renew;

4.      Using any method of identifying himself; herself that implies they are licensed when he/she is not;

5.      Furnishing a fraudulent license in order to practice nursing;

6.      Aiding or abetting anyone in violating this law;

7.      While holding a nursing license getting convicted of felony, a crime involving moral turpitude, a crime involving controlled substances or dangerous drugs, including a plea of nolo contendere; or

8.      While holding a nursing license currently or previously displaying inability to practice with reasonable skill and safety due to use of alcohol, drugs, narcotics or chemicals.