SB 145 Summary

• Establishes certification and training requirements for nursing assistants and certified nursing assistants in Delaware, requiring 150 total clock hours of training (75 classroom and 75 clinical).

• Implements mandatory orientation periods: 40 hours for skilled nursing facilities and 32 hours for assisted living facilities for nursing assistants; 80 hours (40 clinical) for certified nursing assistants in skilled care or intermediate care facilities and 64 hours (24 clinical) for assisted living facilities.

• Creates a new "senior certified nursing assistant" designation for certified nursing assistants with 3+ years of good standing who complete 50 additional instructional hours and pass a competency test.

• Requires biennial recertification of certified nursing assistants and establishes a renewal fee to cover costs of maintaining an educational website for required continuing education credits.

• Allows late renewal of lapsed certifications within 30 days of expiration upon payment of a $25 penalty fee; certifications not renewed after 30 days require retaking the certified nursing assistant test.