SB 179 - This act modifies provisions relating to the practice of advanced practice registered nursing. Specifically, prescription medications prescribed by advanced practice registered nurses ("APRNs") may include Schedule II benzodiazepines and stimulants for behavioral health patients. Under current law, collaborative practice arrangements between physicians and registered professional nurses may delegate to an APRN the authority to administer, dispense, or prescribe certain controlled substances. This act provides that the section of law providing for such agreements shall not apply to APRNs, excluding certified registered nurse anesthetists ("CRNAs"), who have been in a collaborative practice arrangement for a cumulative 2000 documented hours with a collaborating physician and whose license is in good standing. APRNs applying for licensure by endorsement may demonstrate to the Missouri State Board of Nursing completion of such hours. Additionally, any such APRN shall not be required to enter into or remain in such arrangement to practice in this state. This act also provides that an APRN's prescriptive authority shall include authority to prescribe, dispense, and administer controlled substances as provided in current law. Furthermore, the provision on prescriptive authority shall also apply to good-standing APRNs who have been in collaborative practice arrangements for a cumulative 2000 documented hours with collaborating physicians and who are no longer required to hold collaborative practice arrangements. This act is identical to HB 1875 (2024) and contains provisions identical to provisions in SB 809 (2024). KATIE O'BRIEN