The Health and Government Operations (HGO) Committee of Maryland convened on January 28, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding nursing licensure and workforce shortages in the state. The session featured testimonies from several registered nurses and representatives from nursing associations advocating for legislative changes to address these pressing concerns.

The meeting began with a focus on House Bill 19, which aims to facilitate the licensing of nurses in Maryland. Nicole Stevens, a registered nurse with over a decade of experience, emphasized the importance of this bill for her career. Despite holding active licenses in Virginia and Washington, D.C., she is unable to practice in Maryland due to existing policies. Stevens highlighted the state's nursing shortage, which ranks among the lowest in the nation, and urged the committee to support the bill to allow nurses like her to contribute to the healthcare system.

Teresa DeSetta, another registered nurse and doctoral student, addressed the underutilization of the Maryland Preceptor Tax Credit, which was expanded to include registered nurse preceptors in 2022. She noted that only one RN had benefited from this incentive since its expansion. DeSetta proposed an amendment to reduce the required clinical rotation hours from 100 to 90, arguing that this change would align better with current educational practices and increase the number of eligible preceptors, thereby enhancing the nursing workforce.

Bill Kress, representing the Maryland Nurses Association, echoed DeSetta's concerns regarding the preceptor tax credit and supported the proposed amendment. He stressed the need for collaboration between the nursing board and the department to ensure adequate resources for licensure processes.

Joshua Harold, from the 1199 SEIU Training and Employment Funds, also expressed support for HB 19, advocating for the inclusion of long-term care facility employees in the bill's provisions. He highlighted the financial barriers faced by these workers and called for funding to support occupational certificate programs for nursing support staff, which are essential for addressing the staffing crisis in healthcare.

The committee members acknowledged the testimonies and the importance of addressing the nursing shortage in Maryland. As the meeting concluded, the discussions underscored the urgent need for legislative action to improve nursing licensure processes and support the healthcare workforce in the state. The committee is expected to consider the proposed amendments and their implications for the nursing community in future sessions.