MIAMI – State Rep. Daphne Campbell (D-Miami) filed House Bill 1195 to authorize Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) to initiate involuntary examinations under the Baker Act.

While many counseling professionals and physician assistants have the ability to involuntarily commit patients who are suicidal or homicidal, advanced registered nurse practitioners are not recognized as being able to involuntarily commit. This bill changes the statute to allow ARNPs to protect their patients.

Representative Campbell released the following statement:

"The move to allow advanced registered nurse practitioners to practice at their full scope has proven to be very difficult in the state of Florida. The Florida Council of Advanced Practice Nurses and I have attempted to remove barriers for ARNPs. However, due to arguments over education and training requirements, as well as the highly contested benefits and costs of recognizing the full scope of ARNPs and physician assistants, the scope of practice for ARNP’s and PA’s has remained very limited.

"As a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, I have worked closely with ARNPs and PAs and have observed their capacity to do exemplary work. Their training and requirements are more than sufficient to initiate involuntary examinations under the Baker Act.

"House Bill 1195 will recognize the ability of these highly trained professionals. I look forward to working with both the Florida Council of Advanced Practice Nurses and the Florida Medical Association to better define the requirements that both physicians and ARNPs must attain in order to possess certain abilities."