Legislation
Keep updated on key legislation and regulation issues important to CAPNAP.
Current Legislation Updates
A list of Assemblyperson for 2009-2012 is now available.
A list of State Senators for 2009-2012 is now available.
ANA\C is providing an overview of the Duties of the Governor.
To help CAPNAP members interact with their elected officials, ANA\C has provided the following documents.
- How to set up a district meeting.
- Tips of email or sending letters to legislators.
- How to have a successful visit with legislators.
Bill Folders
History of CAPNAP Legislation and Policy Work
- 1983 inclusion of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses (PMHNs) providers of mental health services in the California Insurance Codes and Health and Safety Codes, eligible to receive direct third-policy reimbursement for the first time.
- 1992 inclusion of PMHNs in advanced practice (APRN-PMH) as providers who are protected by the Evidence Code in relation to confidentiality and patients rights.
- 1997 titling act for Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS)-The Granting of Authority to Use Title of "Clinical Nurse Specialist"- only for those who meet the criteria through the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN). CNS replaced the more ambiguous title of PMHN, and clarified that CNSs have a minimum of a master's degree and function on an advanced practice level; this legislation ensured that CNSs are eligible for reimbursement by Medicare and Medicaid.
- 2000 inclusion as providers of mental health services for Victims of Crime, a program funded by California to assist victims and witnesses of crime; includes authority to bill Medicare and Medicaid for Mental Health APRNs services.
- In Progress legislative efforts include working toward attaining prescriptive privileges for CNSs who may wish to prescribe and who meet required criteria.