§ 5-34.3-3 - Legislative findings. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 5-34.3-3

   § 5-34.3-3  Legislative findings. –(a) The general assembly finds and declares that:

   (1) The health and safety of the public are affected by thedegree of compliance with and the effectiveness of enforcement activitiesrelated to state nurse licensure laws;

   (2) Violations of nurse licensure and other laws regulatingthe practice of nursing may result in injury or harm to the public;

   (3) The expanded mobility of nurses and the use of advancedcommunication technologies as part of our nation's healthcare delivery systemrequire greater coordination and cooperation among states in the areas of nurselicensure and regulations;

   (4) New practice modalities and technology make compliancewith individual state nurse licensure laws difficult and complex; and

   (5) The current system of duplicative licensure for nursespracticing in multiple states is cumbersome and redundant to both nurses andstates.

   (b) The general purposes of this compact are to:

   (1) Facilitate the states' responsibility to protect thepublic's health and safety;

   (2) Ensure and encourage the cooperation of party states inthe areas of nurse licensure and regulation;

   (3) Facilitate the exchange of information between partystates in the areas of nurse regulation, investigation and adverse actions;

   (4) Promote compliance with the laws governing the practiceof nursing in each jurisdiction; and

   (5) Invest all party states with the authority to hold anurse accountable for meeting all state practice laws in the state in which thepatient is located at the time care is rendered through the mutual recognitionof party state licenses.