SECTION 1. Section 80B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2012 Official Edition, is hereby amended by striking out the seventh paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following:—

The independent practice of advanced practice registered nursing by a nurse practitioner shall consist of:

(a) Performance of advanced assessment and diagnoses, issuance of written prescriptions, the selection, ordering and administration of tests and therapeutics;

(b) Providing for consultation, planning and coordination of care and referrals and transfers of patients to other providers as appropriate; and

(c) Performing such other functions generally performed by nurse practioners for which the nurse practitioner is qualified by education and experience.

Nurse practitioners shall comply with all applicable requirements in law and regulation relative to the quality of advanced practice nursing care provided. Nurse practitioners are responsible for recognizing the limits of their knowledge and experience and planning for the provision of care that is beyond the nurse practitioner’s expertise and shall consult with and refer patients to other health care providers as appropriate.

The board shall develop and promulgate regulations relative to the independent practice of advanced practice registered nursing including the ordering of tests, therapeutics and prescribing of medications.

              SECTION 2. Section 80E of chapter 112 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out, in lines 1 and 7, the words “nurse practitioner or”

SECTION 3. Said section 80E is hereby further amended by adding the following:—

A nurse practitioner shall have full authority to issue prescriptions and order tests and therapeutics independently in accordance with the provisions of section 80B.

SECTION 4. Section 80I of chapter 112, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out the last sentence.

SECTION 5. Section 3 of chapter 176R, as so appearing, is hereby amended by striking out said section in its entirety and inserting in place thereof the following:—

Section 3. A participating provider nurse practitioner practicing within the scope of his license shall be considered qualified within the carrier’s definition of primary care provider to an insured.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2016.