The bill amends Section 23-17.9-5 of the General Laws regarding the registration of nursing assistants. It introduces a new requirement that the qualifying examination for nursing assistants must be offered and administered in both English and Spanish. This examination is necessary for individuals seeking certification as nursing assistants. The bill clarifies that certain individuals, such as home health aides or homemakers who have completed approved programs or are exempted by federal regulations, are not required to take the qualifying examination.

Additionally, the bill outlines the application process for the examination, which includes the payment of a processing fee that may be covered by the employing facility if the applicant has been employed there for six months prior to applying. It also specifies that if a manual skills proficiency examination is mandated by federal requirements, it will be included in the certification process. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
7938: 23-17.9-5