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CS/SB 558 — Certified Nursing Assistants
by Health Policy Committee and Senator Burton
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill creates a new designation of “qualified medication aide” (QMA) for certified nursing assistants (CNA) who work in a nursing home and meet specified licensure and training requirements. The bill allows a nursing home to authorize a registered nurse (RN) working in the nursing home to delegate medication administration to a QMA who is working under the direct supervision of the RN.
In order to be designated as a QMA, a CNA must hold a clear and active certification as a CNA for at least one year preceding the delegation; complete 40 hours of training that consists of the six-hour training course currently required for a CNA to administer medication in a home health setting and a 34-hour course developed by the Board of Nursing (BON) specific to QMAs; and successfully complete a supervised clinical practice in medication administration conducted in the nursing home.
The bill amends several sections of statute relating to the delegation of tasks by an RN to a CNA to conform to the changes made in the bill. The bill also specifies that CNAs performing the duties of a QMA may not be counted toward preexisting staffing requirements for nursing homes.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 117-0