The bill amends the Nurse Aide Resident Abuse Prevention Training Act to enhance training requirements for nurse aides in long-term care settings. It introduces a new section, 3.1, which mandates the development of a long-term care curriculum for nurse aides, establishes qualifications for instructors, and outlines a train-the-trainer model for delivering this curriculum. Additionally, it requires the department to review and approve training program applications within specified timeframes, with automatic approval if deadlines are not met.

Furthermore, the bill adds section 3.2, which sets forth criteria for nurse aides, including the completion of a state-approved training program and passing a competency examination that includes both written and skills-demonstrated portions. It also allows for competency evaluations to be conducted at the facility where the prospective nurse aide is employed, under certain conditions. Lastly, section 3.3 limits the department's ability to impose waiting periods for providers of state-approved nurse aide programs to offer online training. The act will take effect in stages, with specific provisions becoming effective in one year or 60 days.