2022 -- H 7282

========

LC004205

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

____________

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE

BOARD RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph M. McNamara

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

1

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-102 of the General Laws entitled “Governor's Workforce Board

2

Rhode Island” is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

3

     42-102-14. Certified nursing assistant scholarship initiative – Pilot program.

4

     (a) There is hereby created a pilot program to be known as the certified nursing assistant

5

("CNA") scholarship initiative (the "CNA initiative"). The CNA initiative shall be a scholarship

6

program administered by the community college of Rhode Island (“CCRI”) in conjunction with the

7

governor’s workforce board Rhode Island (the “board”) established pursuant to this chapter, and

8

with the department of labor and training (the “department”). The purpose of the CNA initiative

9

shall be to encourage CNAs working in certain high needs fields to pursue education to enhance

10

their clinical skills.

11

     (b) In the case of a CNA who is currently employed in a long-term care facility providing

12

long-term care services and supports as defined in § 40-8.13-1, or a home care agency as defined

13

in § 42-66.3-1, or a hospice provider, where care is provided to people with dementia or

14

Alzheimer’s disease, or to people in hospice care, or to persons receiving elder care, the student

15

may receive an award under the CNA initiative based upon a letter of nomination and

16

recommendation from the potential student’s employer, and the approval by the community college

17

of Rhode Island. The award shall provide the costs for the CNA to undertake coursework at CCRI,

18

and participate in training programs and partnerships sponsored by the board and the department,

 

1

or any combination thereof, that will enable the CNA to enhance their clinical skills.

2

     (c) The number of participants in the CNA initiative shall be capped at no more than one

3

hundred (100) total students in any calendar year.

4

     (d) CCRI, in conjunction with the board and the department, may promulgate rules and

5

regulations regarding the admission to and administration of the program.

6

     (e) On or before January 10, 2023, and annually on or before January 10 thereafter, the

7

community college of Rhode Island, in conjunction with the board and the department, shall

8

provide a report on the CNA initiative to the respective finance committees and the committees

9

charged with oversight of health care in the general assembly, so long as the scholarship program

10

is being implemented. This report shall include the number of students involved, the cost for the

11

CNA initiative, the number of students receiving certificates or other awards though participation

12

in the CNA initiative, and any recommendations as to the CNA initiative.

13

     (f) The CNA initiative shall commence on July 1, 2022, and shall end on July 1, 2026.

14

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

========

LC004205

========

 

LC004205 - Page 2 of 3

EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE

BOARD RHODE ISLAND

***

1

     This act would create a four (4) year pilot program to provide scholarships to certified

2

nursing assistants employed in certain high needs fields. These scholarships would provide costs

3

for these certified nursing assistants to participate in classwork at CCRI and also in programs

4

sponsored by the department of labor and training and the governor’s workforce board, so that the

5

CNAs could enhance their clinical skills.

6

     This act would take effect upon passage.

========

LC004205

========

 

LC004205 - Page 3 of 3