2018 -- S 2538

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - REGISTRATION OF NURSING ASSISTANTS

     Introduced By: Senator Louis P. DiPalma

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2018

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 23-17.9 of the General Laws entitled "Registration of Nursing

Assistants" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     23-17.9-15. Delegation.

     (a) Allowing for a nurse to delegate tasks to nursing assistants qualifying under §23-17.9-

5 could increase independence, feasibility, and quality of health care services in home care

settings with the maximum number of safeguards.

     (b) Delegation allows a nursing assistant to perform a specific nursing activity, skill, or

procedure that is outside of the nursing assistant's traditional role.

     (c) A nursing assistant as defined in §23-17.9 who provides care to individuals in home

care settings may accept delegation of nursing care tasks by a Rhode Island registered nurse

licensed under chapter 34 of title 5.

     (d) The department of health will promulgate regulations that delineate delegable tasks,

and the training and proficiency requirements that must be met before a task may be delegated.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - REGISTRATION OF NURSING ASSISTANTS

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     This act would allow for a nurse to delegate tasks to nursing assistants and authorizes the

department of health to promulgate regulations that delineate delegable tasks.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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