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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 12, 2023 02:36 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Thomas L. Mehaffie, III and Rep. Kyle J. Mullins |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Updates to the Professional Nursing Law for Dietitian Nutritionists - Prior HB1020 |
| In the near future, Representative Mullins and I will be introducing language that will provide updates to the Professional Nursing Law for dietitian nutritionists. Since 2002, when the Professional Nursing Law was revised to include licensed dietitian nutritionists, the practice of dietetics and nutrition has evolved significantly. Language updates are needed in sections pertaining to title protection and scope of practice. Licensed dietitian nutritionists (LDN) assess, counsel, and evaluate the diets and nutritional health needs of their patients, which is crucial for the treatment and/or management of specific diseases and overall wellbeing. Unfortunately, some individuals take advantage of consumers by falsely claiming to be dietitians and/or nutritionists without appropriate education and training. This may cause delays in receiving appropriate advice and care for diet-related disease, potentially decreasing quality of life and increasing healthcare costs. Patients need to be protected against this fraud. In response, this bill will expand title protection and provide practice protection for licensed dietitian nutritionists. It will more clearly outline the range of functions and responsibilities of dietitian nutritionists, without restricting other individuals who provide general nonmedical nutrition information or medical weight control services, so long as the plan of care is overseen by a licensed health care practitioner. Last session, this language was introduced as HB 1020. Please join us in co-sponsoring this legislation and help protect Pennsylvania’s healthcare patients. |