SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5197
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of January 12, 2012
Title: An act relating to delegation to home care aides.
Brief Description: Concerning the delegation of nursing care tasks to home care aides.
Sponsors: Senators Keiser and Pflug; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 1/19/11, 1/24/11 [DP, w/oRec]; 1/16/12.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE |
Staff: Kathleen Buchli (786-7488)
Background: Under current law, in community-based and in-home care settings, registered nurses may delegate some nursing tasks to registered or certified nursing assistants. A nursing assistant who receives delegation is required to have additional classes specific to the nurse delegation process, and is also trained for a specific client and supervised by the registered nurse delegator.
Under Initiative 1029, new training and certification requirements for long-term care workers were put into effect on January 1, 2011. One of these requirements is that long-term care workers must become certified as home care aides within 150 days of hire. To become certified by the Department of Health as a home care aid, home care aides must complete a total of 75 hours of training in emergency procedures, personal safety, infection control, personal care, and other approved topics relevant to serving older adults and people with disabilities. They are also held accountable under the state's Uniform Disciplinary Act.
Summary of Bill: Certified home care aides are included in the state's nurse delegation statute. Before receiving delegation, a certified home care aide must show proof of successful completion of training in basic core nurse delegation training, and any additional training requirements mandated by the Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission. In addition, home care aides must show completion of diabetes training if they are going to be providing insulin treatment.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
Testimony From 2011 Regular Session.
PRO: This will mean that home care aides won't have to pay twice for their certificate to do nurse delegation. This does not impact any training requirements.
Persons Testifying:
Persons Testifying From 2011 Regular Session.
PRO: MaryAnne Lindeblad, Aging and Disabilities Administration.