State Board of Nursing - Advanced Practice Nursing Licensure and Specialty Certification - Reciprocity Discussions (Maryland Border States Advanced Practice Nursing Act)

HB 602 requires Maryland's State Board of Nursing to negotiate mutual recognition agreements with nursing boards in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The bill aims to create reciprocity for advanced practice nursing licenses and specialty certifications, specifically to increase access to qualified nurses, improve license portability across borders, and simplify telehealth services in border regions. The Board must report annually to legislative committees starting November 1, 2025, detailing progress, agreements reached, challenges, and needed policy changes. This bill directly affects nursing boards in Maryland and the five neighboring jurisdictions, focusing on streamlining licensure for advanced practice nurses without altering current licensing standards. It is a procedural measure to facilitate future agreements, not a change to existing licensure rules.