SECTION 1. Sections 5-45-1, 5-45-3 and 5-45-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-45 entitled "Nursing Home Administrators" are hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 5-45-1. Board of examiners -- Creation -- Composition -- Appointment, terms, oath and removal of members -- Meetings. -- ADD} Within the department of health, there shall be a board of examiners for nursing home administrators. The board shall be appointed by the director of health with the approval of the governor, and shall consist of seven (7) persons who shall be certified electors of this state. Three (3) members of the board shall be persons licensed as nursing home administrators pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. Two (2) members of the board shall be representatives from senior citizen groups. On June 1, 1979, two additional qualified members shall be appointed. One (1) member of the board shall be a nurse who is licensed in the state of Rhode Island and shall have been a graduate from an accredited school of nursing and must have been actively engaged in nursing service for at least two (2) years immediately preceding appointment or reappointment. One (1) member of the board shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state and must be actively engaged in the practice of medicine for at least two (2) years immediately preceding appointment or reappointment. The physician and nurse members of the board shall be representative of those persons of the profession concerned with the care and treatment of chronically ill or infirm elderly patients. A majority of the board members may not be representative of a single profession or category of institution and members not representative of institutions may not have a direct financial interest in any nursing home. Licensed nursing home administrators are considered representatives of institutions for the purpose of this section.

{DEL At the expiration of the term, the director, with the approval of the governor, shall appoint, at the time, and every three (3) years thereafter, qualified persons for a term of three (3) years. DEL} {ADD Members shall be appointed to a term of three (3) years. No member shall serve more than two terms. ADD} The director of health, with the approval of the governor, shall appoint to vacancies, as they occur, a qualified person to serve on the board for the remainder of the term and until his successor is appointed and qualified.

The director of health may remove, after hearing and with the approval of the governor, any member of the board for neglect of any duty required by law or for any incompetency, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment is made for the remainder of the term. Before beginning his or her term of office each member shall take the oath prescribed by law for state officers a record of which shall be filed with the secretary of state.

{DEL The board shall meet immediately after qualification and shall elect a chairman and a secretary. DEL} {ADD The director shall appoint a chairperson. No member shall serve as chairperson for more than three (3) years. ADD} Four (4) members of the board shall constitute a quorum. The members of the board shall serve without compensation. Meetings shall be called by the director of health or his authorized designee or by a majority of the members of the board. The administrator of professional regulation of the department of health as provided by chapter 5-26 of the general laws, as amended, shall serve as administrative agent of the board.

{ADD 5-45-3. Board of examiners -- Functions. -- ADD} It shall be the function of the board to:

(a) conduct examinations as required by the department and to act in an advisory capacity to the department in all matters pertaining to the licensing of nursing home administrators;

(b) develop and apply appropriate techniques including examinations and investigations, for determining whether an individual meets those standards subject to the approval of the director;

(c) recommend to the department the issuance of licenses and registrations to individuals determined, after application of those techniques, to meet those standards; and to recommend to the director the revocation or suspension of licenses or registrations previously issued in any case where the individual holding any such license or registration is determined substantially to have failed to conform to the requirements of those standards;

(d) adopt, {ADD on or before January 1, 1995 ADD} with the approval of the director of health, rules and regulations governing a {DEL voluntary DEL} {ADD mandatory ADD} program of continuing education for nursing home administrators.

{ADD Programs for continuing education for nursing facility administrators may be presented by: ADD}

{ADD a. The RI Health Care Association. ADD}

{ADD b. The RI Association of Facilities for the Aging. ADD}

{ADD c. The American College of Health Care Administrators. ADD}

{ADD d. The Alliance for Better Nursing Home Care. ADD}

{ADD e. Nationally recognized association of the aforementioned groups. ADD}

{ADD f. Any duly accredited college or university. ADD}

{ADD g. Any organizations authorized and approved by the department. ADD}

{ADD 5-45-10. Renewal of licenses. -- ADD} Every holder of a nursing home administrator's license shall renew {DEL annually DEL} {ADD every two (2) years ADD} by making application to the department on forms provided by that agency. {ADD Beginning January 1, 1996, proof of satisfactory completion of ADD} {ADD a minimum of forty (40) clock hours of continuing education every two (2) years must be submitted with the renewal application ADD} . Renewals shall be granted as a matter of course, unless the agency finds the applicant has acted or failed to act in such a manner or under such circumstances as would constitute grounds for suspension or revocation of a license. Each renewal application shall be accompanied by the fee of {DEL sixty dollars ($60.00) DEL} {ADD one hundred and twenty dollars ($120.00) ADD} .

SECTION 2. Section 23-17.4-15.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-17.4 entitled "Residential Care and Assisted Living Facility" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 23-17.4-15.2. Qualifications of administrator. -- ADD} An administrator of a residential care/assisted living facility shall have the following minimum qualifications:

(a) Twenty-one (21) years of age or older;

(b) Good moral and responsible character and reputation;

(c) Literacy; and

(d) Management or administrative ability to carry out the requirements of this chapter.

(e) Certification as a residential care/assisted living facility administrator or equivalent training provided however that those persons acting in the capacity of administrator on July 1, 1992 shall have twelve (12) months to obtain such certification.

The certification shall include training in at least the following areas:

(1) Resident care plan.

(2) Characteristics of resident disabilities.

(3) Resident health issues.

(4) Community resources.

(5) Social and recreational activities.

(6) Nutrition and food service.

(7) First aid.

(8) Medication.

(9) Business administration.

(10) Maintenance and housekeeping.

(11) Residents' rights.

(12) State and federal regulations.

(13) Staff management and training.

{ADD (f) Mandatory continuing education. ADD}

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.