2022 -- H 7282

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LC004205

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE

BOARD RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representative Joseph M. McNamara

     Date Introduced: February 02, 2022

     Referred To: House Finance

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 42-102 of the General Laws entitled “Governor's Workforce Board

Rhode Island” is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     42-102-14. Certified nursing assistant scholarship initiative – Pilot program.

     (a) There is hereby created a pilot program to be known as the certified nursing assistant

("CNA") scholarship initiative (the "CNA initiative"). The CNA initiative shall be a scholarship

program administered by the community college of Rhode Island (“CCRI”) in conjunction with the

governor’s workforce board Rhode Island (the “board”) established pursuant to this chapter, and

with the department of labor and training (the “department”). The purpose of the CNA initiative

shall be to encourage CNAs working in certain high needs fields to pursue education to enhance

their clinical skills.

     (b) In the case of a CNA who is currently employed in a long-term care facility providing

long-term care services and supports as defined in § 40-8.13-1, or a home care agency as defined

in § 42-66.3-1, or a hospice provider, where care is provided to people with dementia or

Alzheimer’s disease, or to people in hospice care, or to persons receiving elder care, the student

may receive an award under the CNA initiative based upon a letter of nomination and

recommendation from the potential student’s employer, and the approval by the community college

of Rhode Island. The award shall provide the costs for the CNA to undertake coursework at CCRI,

and participate in training programs and partnerships sponsored by the board and the department,

or any combination thereof, that will enable the CNA to enhance their clinical skills.

     (c) The number of participants in the CNA initiative shall be capped at no more than one

hundred (100) total students in any calendar year.

     (d) CCRI, in conjunction with the board and the department, may promulgate rules and

regulations regarding the admission to and administration of the program.

     (e) On or before January 10, 2023, and annually on or before January 10 thereafter, the

community college of Rhode Island, in conjunction with the board and the department, shall

provide a report on the CNA initiative to the respective finance committees and the committees

charged with oversight of health care in the general assembly, so long as the scholarship program

is being implemented. This report shall include the number of students involved, the cost for the

CNA initiative, the number of students receiving certificates or other awards though participation

in the CNA initiative, and any recommendations as to the CNA initiative.

     (f) The CNA initiative shall commence on July 1, 2022, and shall end on July 1, 2026.

     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 STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT - GOVERNOR'S WORKFORCE

BOARD RHODE ISLAND

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     This act would create a four (4) year pilot program to provide scholarships to certified

nursing assistants employed in certain high needs fields. These scholarships would provide costs

for these certified nursing assistants to participate in classwork at CCRI and also in programs

sponsored by the department of labor and training and the governor’s workforce board, so that the

CNAs could enhance their clinical skills.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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