This bill establishes the position of a Certified Assisted Living Medication Aide (CALMA) within the Nurse Practice Act, outlining the scope of practice, certification requirements, and continuing education for CALMAs. It specifies that a CALMA is an individual certified to administer certain medications in residential settings under the supervision of a facility administrator and with access to clinical consultation 24 hours a day. The bill includes new definitions, such as "Administrator," "Certified assisted living medication aide," and "Clinical consultant," and sets forth the responsibilities and educational requirements for CALMAs, including a minimum of 40 hours of classroom and clinical education, passing an examination, and completing 8 hours of continuing education every two years.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $300,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services for the state loan repayment program, which is aimed at qualified nursing professionals. It also mandates the department to report on a budget proposal for a student loan forgiveness program for nurses who do not qualify for the state loan repayment program. The report is due by November 1, 2024. The bill includes a contingency clause related to the renumbering of a section if another bill (HB 1095) becomes law. The effective dates for the bill are set as 60 days after its passage for sections 1-6, and immediately upon passage for the remainder of the act.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 326-B:43
As Amended by the House: 326-B:2, 326-B:31, 326-B:9
As Amended by the Senate: 326-B:2, 326-B:31, 326-B:9
Version adopted by both bodies: 326-B:2, 326-B:31, 326-B:9
CHAPTERED FINAL VERSION: 326-B:2, 326-B:31, 326-B:9