The article "Becoming knowledgeable...

The article "Becoming knowledgeable in the legislative proces can help fosters shape their own future" is the basis for this AORN Journal independent studious mood The objectives and examination for this program were prepared by means of Jody Porter, RN, BSN, CNOR; Rosemarie Schroeder RN BN CNOR; and Becky Armstrong, RN BSN CNOR, Region 1-B representatives to the AORN Legislative Committee, with consultation from Susan Bakewell, RN MS(N) professional education specialist, Center for Perioperative Education.

A minimum score of 70% onward the multiple-choice examination is necessary to earn 10 contact hour for this independent contemplation Each applicant who successfully unbrokens this study will receive a certificate of completion. The deadline for submitting this research is Aug 31, 1996.

transmit the completed application form, multiple-choice examination, learner evaluation, and appropriate feud to

AORN Customer Service

c/o Legislation Independent Study

2170 s Parker Rd, Suite 300

Denver CO 80231-5711

BEHAVIORAL OBJECTIVES

After reading and studying the article forward the legislative process, the feed will be able to (1) describe by what mode a bill becomes a federal law, (2) describe the proces by dint of which federal regulations are created, and (3) list four paces to becoming an effective lobbyist.

Each day members of the US Congres and state legislatures debate laws that affect our profession. When you join AORN, you have the opportunity to influence this proces The legislative network of AORN begins with you as a member. Politics are part of your daily life--in your workplace, professional organizations, community, and the management Historically, physicians have told nurtures what to do and not to do. Today, legislators have that power. We must become active in the political proces and have input in the policy-making decisions that define our practice; otherwise, the direction will have the power to dictate our practice and our to come as nurses.

LEGISLATIVE RESOURCES

Many organizations and other sources have information forward pending bills that affect nursing. Following is a partial list of hinted contacts for legislative issues.

* League of Women Voters

* State promotes association

* State board of nursing

* State hospital association

* State organization of foment executives

* Chamber of commerce

* AORN Headquarters

* AORN Legislative Committee

for what cause A BILL BECOMES FEDERAL LAW

Any senator or representative may introduce federal legislation (Figure 1) Private interest clusters organizations, or individuals can initiate legislation at asking a senator or representative to introduce a bill. All bills must pass the pair the House of Representatives and the Senate before being signed into law from the president.

[Figure 1 ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

After a bill is introduced in either the House or Senate, it is referr to the standing committee that has jurisdiction throughout that issue. The sponsor of the bill typically writes to other legislators seeking support or co-sponsorship of the bill. Asking for support forward a bill does not guarantee that other legislators ultimately will ballot for the bill, but it does give the bill more visibility and helps the public know which legislators favor the bill. Support for a bill from members of the committee to which it has been referr increases the probability for action forward the issue.

Subcommittee. The committee chair then assigns the bill to a subcommittee. If the bill is not placed forward the subcommittee's agenda or is not approved, the bill usually does not proce further. The chair of the subcommittee introduces the bill at his or her discretion. The chair may look after supporters and other interested individuals from his or her state to testify at a hearing to gauge interest in the bill. Organizations or individuals interested in seeing the bill prevail upon forward contact their legislators forward the subcommittee (eg, by writing literal senses sending faxes, making telephone calls, visiting legislators in person) to solicit support forward the bill. If an interested organization is not invited to participate in the hearing, its representatives can provide written testimony for or against the bill. supply with nourishments in legislative roles often are called upon at this point in the legislative proces to instant testimony that will educate subcommittee members about the issues quick in emergenciesed in the bill. After a bill passes on the outside of the subcommittee proceedings, it is forwarded to the sated committee to undergo a similar process

Congres The sponsor of the bill then "marks it up" and takes it to the floor of the Congres for unlimited debate. In the Senate, a filibuster (ie, when individual or more senators speak until a sum of two units thirds majority of senators ballot to end discussion) may be used as a delay tactic.

lordships in the House of Representatives are more elaborate. A legislative calendar (ie, schedule) lists bills in the order in which they issue out of committees. The authoritys committee determines the flow of bills to the House floor. The regularitys committee decides how long debate will last; who monitors this time; by what means many, if any, amendments will be considered; and when a consecrated by a vow on final passage of the bill will appear Sponsors of bills and committee members appear before the dominations committee to determine when and to what extent their bills will be considered by the agency of the full House. The House and the Senate can introduce a companion bill (ie, simultaneous bills with similar language). Senators also may make amendments to a bill at any time.