HB 209 Summary

• Creates a family caregiver certified nursing assistant program requiring the Board of Nursing and Agency for Health Care Administration to develop training for family caregivers to serve as certified nursing assistants for their relatives.

• Program requires minimum 84 hours of training including 40 hours of theoretical instruction (person-centered care, infection control, dementia care, etc.), 28 hours of skills training (hygiene, vital signs, patient lifting, wound care, etc.), and 16 hours of clinical training under a licensed registered nurse.

• Family caregivers completing the program may take the nursing assistant competency examination and, upon passing, become eligible for certification under existing law.

• Certified family caregivers must work as designated nursing assistants for their relative under contract with a licensed nurse registry for at least 2 years before being permitted to practice in other healthcare settings.

• Defines "family caregiver" as a person providing significant personal care to a relative with a physical or cognitive condition preventing independent living, and "relative" to include parents, spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

• Takes effect July 1, 2022.