LEGISLATIVE UPDATES 

Minnesota State Assembly of AST

CST Credentialing Bill

May 18, 2010

The Governor signed S.F. 184 yesterday.  The effective date for the surgical tech pilot program is August 1.

I will get in touch with MnSCU to see what they are doing to establish the pilot and to offer our support -- goals, a list of hospitals that meet the 25 mile standard, etc.

 I will be in touch.

This pilot is less than the state-wide credentialing that we had hoped for, but it is an nonetheless important step forward in promoting the profession and getting surgical techs into state statute.

Thank you.

Tom Lehman

15.19    Sec. 32. SURGICAL TECHNOLOGISTS PILOT PROJECT.
15.20    Subdivision 1. Surgical technologists; training and employment pilot project.
15.21The Board of Trustees of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities shall establish a pilot
15.22project to develop partnerships and training and employment opportunities for surgical
15.23technologists. The pilot project must develop partnerships between a health care facility
15.24located within 25 miles of an accredited surgical technologist program offered by a
15.25Minnesota State Colleges and Universities institution and the institution. The partnerships
15.26must promote the employment and retention of surgical technologists, working in
15.27accordance with law, regulations, including Code of Federal Regulations, title 42,
15.28section 482.51, and contract provisions, who have successfully completed an accredited
15.29educational program and who hold and maintain a certified surgical technology credential
15.30from a nationally recognized and accredited surgical technologist certifying body.
15.31This subdivision expires June 30, 2014.
15.32    Subd. 2. Report. The board of trustees shall report on the pilot project under this
15.33section to the appropriate legislative chairs by January 1, 2013, with recommendations
16.1to enhance surgical technologist training and to ensure an adequate supply of surgical
16.2technologist graduates to meet the needs of facilities.

Tom Lehman, AST’s Minnesota lobbyist, can help facilitate future meetings and attend them with you. He is experienced in working with provider associations and can help you make your meeting the most productive it can be. Contact him at tom@thelehmangroup.com.

The Legislative Committee

Kristi Houselog and Sara Vodnick  will be co-chairing this committee. They will be updating you as often as possible with progress via e-mail, website, and newsletters. Please feel free to contact Sara Vodnick or Kristi Houselog with questions or to get involved.

Kristi Houselog's email:  jkhouselog@valyousat.net 

Sara Vodnick's email:  svodnick@yahoo.com  

It’s time to get active and get engaged!!

Take action now!!