The Ohio Dementia Care Training Act for Nurse Aides amends sections 3721.28, 3721.29, and 3721.30 of the Revised Code to enhance training requirements for nurse aides in long-term care facilities. The bill mandates that these facilities implement an orientation program and conduct regular performance reviews to ensure nurse aides are competent. A key provision is the introduction of a requirement for two hours of annual dementia-specific training, which must adhere to established standards. The director of health is responsible for adopting rules to implement these provisions in alignment with federal guidelines. Additionally, the bill specifies that training programs must include at least seventy-five hours of instruction on essential topics, including dementia care, and prohibits nurse aides from providing direct care to residents with dementia until they have completed the required training.

The legislation also introduces new compliance measures for home or residential care facilities regarding dementia-specific training, empowering the director to impose fines, request corrective action plans, or revoke licenses for non-compliance. It ensures that nurse aides are not charged for participating in approved competency evaluation or training programs, including materials and evaluations, and prohibits employers from requiring them to pay for training costs during or after employment. The bill clarifies the definition of "dementia" in accordance with existing law and repeals certain sections of the Revised Code to streamline the legislative framework surrounding dementia care training.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3721.28, 3721.29, 3721.30