AN ACT relating to respiratory care.

Create a new section of KRS Chapter 314A to allow an advanced practice respiratory therapist employed by a health facility to declare a patient death and sign the provisional report of death; repeal and reenact KRS 314A.010, 314A.110, and 314A.220 to define terms; create a new license category for advanced practice respiratory therapists; deem the practice credential a license instead of a mandatory certificate; replace the term "respiratory care practitioner" with "respiratory therapist" or "advanced…

Introduced: February 24, 2026

Last action: March 3, 2026

To Licensing, Occupations, & Administrative Regulations (H)

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This bill updates Kentucky's laws governing respiratory therapists by creating a new license category called "advanced practice respiratory therapist" with its own education, training, and prescribing authority, including the ability to prescribe certain drugs and sign death reports. It also updates terminology, adjusts how the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care operates, raises board member pay, and increases penalties for violations. The changes aim to expand the scope of practice for respiratory care professionals working in…

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