The healthcare regulatory environment is moving faster than ever. As we move into April 2026, state legislatures are racing to wrap up annual sessions, introducing a wave of changes that impact everything from artificial intelligence (AI) data retention to mandatory human trafficking education.
Staying ahead of these shifts is no longer just an administrative task — it is a strategic necessity. At Propelus®, we monitor these nationwide trends in real-time to provide professionals, employers, and regulators with the tools they need to make informed decisions. Explore the key federal and state updates from March 2026 below.
Federal Activity
Trump administration targets Medicaid fraud, flags Florida as key hotspot
The Trump administration has extended its nationwide push against Medicaid fraud, formally requesting that Florida detail how it detects, prevents, and addresses improper activity within its program. This follows similar inquiries to New York, Minnesota, Maine, and California, and comes soon after President Trump established a federal anti-fraud task force through an executive order covering all benefit programs. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz also noted Florida has seen high-dollar fraud cases in both Medicaid and Medicare. The administration has set a 30-day deadline for responses.
H-1B Visa filing fee exemption for healthcare professionals — H.R. 7961
On March 17, bipartisan legislation, H.R. 7961, the H-1Bs for Physicians and Healthcare Workforce Act, was introduced to exempt physicians and other healthcare professionals from the new filing fees associated with H-1B visa petitions.
2026 National Nursing Workforce Survey
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), in collaboration with the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, has launched the 2026 National Nursing Workforce Survey. This survey, running through September 2026, aims to provide a comprehensive view of the nursing workforce by:
- Tracking current workforce trends
- Forecasting potential shortages
- Identifying factors contributing to nurses leaving the profession
2026 State Legislative Updates
Our team continues to track hundreds of bills nationwide and monitor regulatory rulemaking. As we move into April, many state legislatures are approaching the end of their annual sessions. Below are a few noteworthy updates from March.
Artificial Intelligence — Louisiana HB 791
Louisiana has introduced HB 791, which sets enforceable data privacy standards for AI chatbots. The bill includes restrictions on chat logs, limiting them to a ten-year retention period. In addition, the law mandates recurring notifications to users that they are interacting with AI and prohibits chatbots from representing themselves as licensed professionals, including healthcare providers.
Continuing Education (CE)
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South Carolina H 4343, human trafficking — Enacted March 9, this legislation requires physicians, PAs, and APRNs to complete a one-hour human trafficking awareness course as part of CME requirements. Practitioners licensed before January 1, 2026, must complete the course by January 1, 2028, and every six years thereafter. Those licensed on or after January 1, 2026, must complete it within two years of initial licensure and every six years thereafter.
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Florida S.B. 340, human trafficking course required for nursing licensure application — Sent to the Governor’s Office for signature, this bill amends nursing licensure requirements. Beginning July 1, 2027, new applicants for RN or LPN licensure must complete a two-hour human trafficking course covering the same content as the existing CME requirement. The focus is on enhancing awareness and professional education around human trafficking in healthcare.
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West Virginia H.B. 4951, nutrition — This enrolled bill requires MDs and DOs to complete continuing education in nutrition. It has been sent to the Governor’s Office for signature and will take effect on June 12, 2026 (90 days after passage).
Healthcare Professionals’ Scope of Practice — California SB 1333
California has introduced legislation that authorizes licensed naturopathic doctors to independently order and prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances, removing the previous requirement for physician supervision. California SB 1333 authorizes a naturopathic doctor to order and prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances without physician supervision.
Licensure Compacts
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Tennessee SB 1526, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact — Enacted March 6 and effective immediately, this legislation extends the sunset date of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to June 30, 2034.
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West Virginia SB 703, Social Work Licensure Compact — Enrolled and sent to the Governor for signature, this legislation would add West Virginia to the list of states participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact.
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Michigan HB 5455, continuation of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact — Enrolled and sent to the Governor on March 24, 2026, this legislation continues Michigan’s participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). The updated law removes the previous sunset clause, ensuring Michigan’s ongoing membership in the Compact.
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Mississippi SB 2543, Interstate Dental Licensure Compact — On March 19, 2026, Mississippi enacted SB 2543, joining the Interstate Dental Licensure Compact.
Professional Licensure — Pennsylvania HB 2173
Introduced in Pennsylvania, HB 2173 establishes licensure for medical imaging professionals, radiation therapists, and radiologist assistants and trainees under the oversight of the State Board of Medicine. The Board may issue temporary trainee licenses to qualifying students or graduates in these fields, valid for one year or until the trainee obtains full licensure, whichever comes first.
Nursing Board Reform — Kansas HB 2528
As reported in our February Government Relations Update, Kansas HB 2528 proposes sweeping reforms to the regulatory authority and disciplinary processes of the State Board of Nursing, with a clear emphasis on transparency, due process, and clinical relevance. As of March 26, 2026, the chambers have come to a consensus agreement and the bill will move forward for the Governor’s signature.
Kentucky Optometry Oversight Review — SCR 172
Senate Concurrent Resolution 172, filed by Sen. Stephen Meredith (R-Leitchfield) on March 18, calls for a task force to review the state Board of Optometric Examiners and the licensing of Kentucky’s roughly 900 optometrists. This follows revelations that some optometrists, including the daughter of a former board president, were granted licenses despite not passing all parts of the national exam. The task force would include lawmakers, optometrists, medical doctors, and academic representatives, and will assess the board’s structure, licensure practices, and the scope of optometric practice.
Healthcare Professionals’ Scope of Practice — NC Board of Nursing Rulemaking
On March 2, the North Carolina Medical Board released a proposed rule that would allow physician assistants (PAs) who have completed at least 4,000 hours of clinical practice, including 1,000 hours in a specialty area, to practice independently, without a supervising physician, in team-based care settings that meet specified practice requirements.
Stay Ahead with Us
As legislative sessions move forward and new mandates take shape, staying compliant with CE shouldn’t feel like a moving target. At Propelus®, we believe that tracking policy is about spotting the trends that will redefine healthcare delivery.
The regulatory landscape is a leading indicator of our industry’s future. By monitoring these shifts in real-time, we help you stay ahead of the curve, transforming emerging policy trends into a competitive advantage. Our technology is designed to turn complex state requirements, like the electronic tracking mandates in New Jersey, into seamless, automated workflows before they take effect.
Through our unified solutions, Propelus CE Broker®, Propelus EverCheck®, and Propelus Immuware®, Propelus provides the vital infrastructure that connects boards, professionals, and employers in a single, secure ecosystem. In an evolving 2026 landscape, you need a partner who doesn’t just react to change, but anticipates it. We are dedicated to ensuring your workforce is not just qualified and compliant with CE, but strategically positioned for whatever comes next.