The bill aims to enhance the training and testing processes for home care aides in Washington State. It mandates the Department of Social and Health Services to prepare a report by September 1, 2026, evaluating the current home care aide certification testing and recommending a transition to testing within approved training programs. The report will include a review of the knowledge and skills tests, stakeholder engagement to assess additional training needs, and recommendations for simplifying application materials for consumers. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to clarify certification requirements for long-term care workers and allows for flexibility in certification timelines during emergencies.

Key provisions include the establishment of a single scope of practice for certified home care aides and exempt workers, the requirement for examinations to be available in multiple languages, and the introduction of home care aide testing in qualified training programs by July 1, 2028. The bill also appropriates funds totaling $6.5 million over two fiscal years to support the implementation of these changes through a training partnership affiliate, which is defined as a Washington nonprofit corporation contracted to provide the necessary testing services.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 18.88B.021, 18.88B.031