HB 2521 Summary

• Establishes a new "licensed health aide" credential in Arizona nursing law for parents, guardians, or family members providing care to long-term care system members under age 21.

• Licensed health aides must complete board-approved training in medication administration, tracheostomy care, enteral care, therapy, and other approved tasks, and pass a competency examination.

• Allows licensed health aides to provide skilled nursing services only to their family member within the Arizona long-term care system and only consistent with that member's plan of care.

• Creates reimbursement for licensed health aide services provided by medicare-certified home health agencies at rates exceeding standard home health aide rates to reflect specialized skills needed.

• Exempts the Arizona State Board of Nursing from standard rulemaking requirements for one year following the effective date to implement the new credential.