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:

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

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

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     23-17.9-15. Delegation.

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

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

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settings with the maximum number of safeguards.

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

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

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

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

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licensed under chapter 34 of title 5.

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

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

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     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

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department of health to promulgate regulations that delineate delegable tasks.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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