A new Ohio law aimed at expanding access to the healthcare workforce was put into effect late last week.
The law, signed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Friday, ease’s the state’s regulations to enter the medical field in an effort to increase the number of healthcare professionals working against the pandemic.
“Among other things, this bill helps to take care of some of these professional barriers as it pertains to the pandemic, and I’m happy to see it finally heading to the Governor,” said State Rep. Bill Roemer (R-38-Richfield), who sponsored the original bill, in a statement announcing its passage through the Senate.
The law will extend to July 1 a suspension of a requirement that prospective nurses pass the license examination and allow them to obtain a temporary license. It also codifies pharmacists being allowed to administer COVID-19 vaccines and test for the virus.
The new law also makes it easier for medical students to complete or continue their training during the pandemic. Students aged 17 will be allowed to register as pharmacy technician trainees. The law also allows the Board of Pharmacy to extend a pharmacy technician trainee’s registration to allow for flexibility as they complete their education, as well as codifies similar permission from the Department of Education.
It also expands the types of degrees required to obtain a school nurse registration, now allowing any bachelor’s degree to be used as long as it is consistent with current rules from the State Board of Education.
House Bill 6 passed the House in March and unanimously passed the Senate last week. It went into effect immediately.
Today I signed House Bill 6, sponsored by Rep. Bill Roemer, which eases burdensome requirements on administering #COVID19 vaccines, increasing the ability of medical professionals and their patients to access lifesaving vaccinations. pic.twitter.com/clZgaEuFbu
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 14, 2021
Read the full law here.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Ohio Star and the Star News Network. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair.
Photo “Gov. Mike DeWine” by Governor Mike DeWine.
