The bill amends Chapter 5-34 of the General Laws by adding a new section titled "Foot care," which establishes the rights of home care patients to receive safe, appropriate, and high-quality foot care services in a timely manner, with consideration, dignity, respect, and privacy. It defines "home services" as care provided in private residential spaces, including houses, apartments, and assisted living facilities, but excludes long-term care nursing homes and hospitals.

The bill outlines the qualifications for nurses providing these services, requiring them to be licensed registered nurses certified by recognized national organizations, such as the American Foot Care Nurses Association or the Wound Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board. Nurses must possess theoretical knowledge and demonstrate clinical competency in areas such as foot and lower extremity anatomy, common foot pathology, and infection control.

Additionally, the bill details the components of home services foot care, which include assessing past medical history, health habits, circulation, skin integrity, and pain, as well as implementing a care plan that includes hygiene and nail care. It mandates that nurses providing in-home foot care complete two hours of continuing education focused on foot care as part of their ten-hour certification requirement. Furthermore, nurses whose services are limited to foot care are exempt from certain existing regulatory requirements. The Department of Health is authorized to determine fair and reasonable licensing and renewal fees for these nurses. The act is set to take effect upon passage.