ARC 4926C
NURSING BOARD[655]
Adopted and Filed
Rule making related to child abuse and dependent
adult abuse mandatory reporter training
The Board of Nursing hereby amends Chapter 3, “Licensure to Practice—Registered Nurse/Licensed Practical Nurse,” Iowa Administrative Code.
Legal Authority for Rule Making
This rule making is adopted under the authority provided in Iowa Code sections 147.10, 232.69(3)“e,” 235B.16(5)“f” and 272C.2.
State or Federal Law Implemented
This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code sections 232.69 and 235B.16.
Purpose and Summary
2019 Iowa Acts, House File 731, amends Iowa Code sections 232.69(3) and 235B.16(5), which govern mandatory child abuse and dependent adult abuse reporter training requirements for certain professionals.  This rule making amends Chapter 3 to conform to those changes and requires that nurses who must make reports for child abuse or dependent adult abuse, or both, comply with the training requirements provided in the amended Iowa Code sections 232.69 and 235B.16 every three years.
This rule making also amends Chapter 3 to remove references to wallet cards because the Board no longer issues physical wallet cards to licensees.
This rule making also amends Chapter 3 to clarify that a passing score on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) test is an 84 with a speaking score of at least 26.
Public Comment and Changes to Rule Making
Notice of Intended Action for this rule making was published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on November 6, 2019, as ARC 4743C. A public hearing was held on December 6, 2019, at 9 a.m.	at the Board’s office, Suite B, 400 S.W. Eighth Street, Des Moines, Iowa. No one attended the public hearing. No public comments were received. No changes from the Notice have been made.
Adoption of Rule Making
This rule making was adopted by the Board on January 15, 2020.
Fiscal Impact
This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.
Jobs Impact
After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.
Waivers
Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 655—Chapter 15.
Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee
The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee’s meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).
Effective Date
This rule making will become effective on March 18, 2020.
The following rule-making actions are adopted:
	Item 1. Amend rule 655—3.1(17A,147,152,272C), definition of “Fees,” as follows:
“Fees” means those fees collected which are based upon the cost of sustaining the board’s mission to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The nonrefundable fees set by the board are as follows:
	1. to 9. No change.	
	10.	For a duplicate or reissued wallet card or original certificate to practice recognizing Iowa licensure as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or advanced registered nurse practitioner, $20.
	11. to 13. No change.	
	14.	No change.
	Item 2. Amend paragraph 3.6(2)“c” as follows:
	c. 	The ability to read, write, speak, and understand the English language as determined by passing the TOEFL ® or IELTS ™ test. A For the TOEFL® test, a passing score is as follows: 560 for the TOEFL ® paper-based test; or 220 for the TOEFL ® computer-based test; or 84 for the TOEFL ® Internet-based test ; and with a speaking score of at least 26. For the IELTS™ test, a passing score is as follows: an overall score of 6.5 and a speaking score of 7.0 for the IELTS™ test. An applicant shall be exempt from taking either the TOEFL ® or IELTS ™ test when all of the following requirements are met: (1) the nursing education was completed in a college, university, or professional school located in Australia, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, or the United Kingdom; (2) the language of instruction in the nursing program was English; and (3) the language of the textbooks in the nursing program was English.
	Item 3. Amend paragraph 3.7(3)“b” as follows:
	b. 	Mandatory reporter training.
	(1)	The course course(s) shall be a the curriculum approved provided by the Iowa department of public health human services.
	(2)	A licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats children in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of two hours of training in child abuse identification and reporting as required by Iowa Code section 232.69(3)“b” in the previous five three years or condition(s) for rule suspension as identified in subparagraph 3.7(3)“b”(6) 3.7(3)“b”(5).
	(3)	A licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats adults in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of two hours of training in dependent adult abuse identification and reporting as required by Iowa Code section 235B.16(5)“b” in the previous five three years or condition(s) for rule suspension as identified in subparagraph 3.7(3)“b”(6) 3.7(3)“b”(5).
	(4)	A licensee who regularly examines, attends, counsels or treats both adults and children in Iowa shall indicate on the renewal application completion of training on abuse identification and reporting in dependent adults and children or condition(s) for rule suspension as identified in subparagraph 3.7(3)“b”(6). Training may be completed through separate courses as identified in subparagraphs 3.7(3)“b”(2) and (3) or in one combined two-hour course that includes curricula for identifying and reporting child abuse and dependent adult abuse.
	(5) (4)	The licensee shall maintain written documentation for five three years after mandatory training as identified in subparagraphs 3.7(3)“b”(2)  to (4) and (3), including program date(s), content, duration, and proof of participation.
	(6) (5)	The requirement for mandatory training for identifying and reporting child and dependent adult abuse shall be suspended if the board determines that suspension is in the public interest or that a person at the time of license renewal:
	1.	Is engaged in active duty in the military service of this state or the United States.
	2.	Holds a current exemption based on evidence of significant hardship in complying with training requirements, including an exemption of continuing education requirements or extension of time in which to fulfill requirements due to a physical or mental disability or illness as identified in 655—Chapter 5.
	(7) (6)	The board may select licensees for audit of compliance with the requirements in subparagraphs 3.7(3)“b”(1) to (6)(5).
	Item 4. Rescind subrule 3.7(6).
	Item 5. Renumber subrule 3.7(7) as 3.7(6).
	Item 6. Amend renumbered subrule 3.7(6) as follows:
	3.7(6) Reissue of a an original certificate or wallet card. The board shall reissue a an original certificate or current wallet card recognizing Iowa licensure upon receipt of a written request from the licensee, return of the original document and payment of the fee as specified in rule 655—3.1(17A,147,152,272C). No fee shall be required if an error was made by the board on the original document.
[Filed 1/23/20, effective 3/18/20]
[Published 2/12/20]
Editor’s Note: For replacement pages for IAC, see IAC Supplement 2/12/20.