NY A02973

Authorizes certified nursing home medication aides in St. Lawrence County residential health care facilities to administer routine, prefilled medications under direct supervision of a registered professional nurse, with exceptions allowing insulin injections, low molecular weight heparin injections, and pre-filled epinephrine auto-injections.

Requires nursing home medication aides to have at least one year of residential health care experience, complete required training, pass competency examinations, and demonstrate ability to safely administer medications and communicate effectively with patients.

Mandates registered professional nurses to conduct initial nursing assessments, provide written instructions, supervise medication administration, visit individuals receiving medication, and retain discretion to assign or revoke medication administration duties without retaliation.

Requires the Department of Health to track nursing home medication aides in the nursing home nurse aide registry and report on implementation by October 1, 2029, including data on authorized aides, complaints, and authorization revocations.

Becomes effective two years after enactment, with regulations to be adopted by the Commissioner of Education in consultation with the Commissioner of Health, and expires March 31, 2030.