Allowing certified advanced practice nurse prescribers to determine an illness or injury and complete forms for the purpose of medical review related to motor vehicle operator's licenses and allowing certified advanced practice nurse prescribers to determine disability for the purpose of issuing certain hunting permits

This bill specifies that a special examination required by DOT may be conducted by, and the results of the examination certified by, a physician, certified advanced practice nurse prescriber, or optometrist.

natural resources Under current law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is authorized to issue certain hunting permits that authorize hunting by persons who have a physical disability or who are visually handicapped (specialized permits). Among the privileges granted by these specialized permits is the privilege of hunting with assistance rendered by another person and, under some circumstances, hunting with a crossbow. In order to obtain a specialized permit from DNR, a person must submit an application furnished by DNR that includes a statement or report prepared and signed by a specified medical professional verifying that the applicant is physically disabled. A person may also obtain a specialized permit even if the person would otherwise be ineligible for a specialized permit if DNR, based on the recommendation of a specified medical professional, determines that the issuance of the permit complies with the intent of the law.

This bill authorizes an applicant for a specialized permit to submit a statement, report, or recommendation from a certified advanced practice nurse prescriber, in addition to the medical professionals specified under current law, in support of a specialized permit application.

Current law also requires DNR to issue an annual or temporary disabled person fishing license (disabled fishing license) to a resident who produces a certificate from a specified medical professional stating that his or her sight is impaired to a specified degree. Among the privileges of a disabled fishing license is the right to pay a reduced fee for the license and the authority to fish during special fishing seasons designated by DNR. This bill allows advanced practice nurse prescribers, in addition to the medical professionals specified under current law, to furnish the required certificate for a disabled fishing license.