This bill establishes new requirements for central service technicians working in health care facilities in Minnesota, as codified in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 148. It defines a central service technician as an individual responsible for decontaminating, inspecting, assembling, packaging, and sterilizing reusable medical instruments or devices. The bill mandates that health care facilities can only employ or retain central service technicians who have passed a nationally accredited exam and hold relevant credentials, or who were employed in this capacity before December 31, 2027. Additionally, technicians who do not meet these requirements must obtain the necessary credentials within 18 months of hire and complete ten hours of continuing education annually to maintain their qualifications.

The bill also clarifies that certain individuals, such as health care practitioners and students under supervision, are not restricted from performing the functions of a central service technician. Furthermore, health care facilities are required to verify the employment dates of central service technicians upon request. The provisions of this bill will take effect 180 days after final enactment.