BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE HEALTH
COMMITTEE ANALYSIS
Senator Deborah V. Ortiz, Chair
BILL NO: AB 1235
A
AUTHOR: Emmerson and Walters
B
AMENDED: May 23, 2005
HEARING DATE: June 22, 2005
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FISCAL: Appropriations
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CONSULTANT:
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Machi / ak
SUBJECT
In-service training
SUMMARY
This bill would allow a certified nurse assistant (CNA)
applying for certification renewal to complete 24 of the
requisite 48 hours of training using an online computer
training program approved by the Licensing and
Certification Division of the Department of Health Services
(DHS).
ABSTRACT
Existing law:
1.Defines CNA as any person who holds himself or herself
out as a CNA and who, for compensation, performs basic
patient care services directed at the safety, comfort,
personal hygiene, and protection of patients in a skilled
nursing or intermediate care facility.
2.Requires CNA certificates to be renewed every two years.
Specifies certain requirements for certification and
renewal of certification.
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STAFF ANALYSIS OF ASSEMBLY BILL 1235 (Emmerson and
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3.Requires, as a condition of recertification, for CNAs to
submit documentation indicating completion of 48 hours of
in-service training every two years, obtained through an
approved training program or taught by a director of
staff development for a licensed skilled nursing or
intermediate care facility that has been approved by DHS.
Requires that a minimum of 12 of the 48 hours in-service
training be completed in each of the two years
This bill:
1.Allows an applicant for certification renewal to complete
24 of the requisite 48 hours of training using an online
computer training program, approved by the Licensing and
Certification Division of DHS, which meets prescribed
requirements, including, but not limited to, that the
person certify completion of the course.
2.Requires vendors of online programs for continuing
education meet certain criteria, as specified, that may
be approved by DHS.
FISCAL IMPACT
According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, there
would be minor costs to review and approve new courses,
likely less than $150,000 annually.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Background
Existing law sets forth the qualifications for becoming a
CNA for a skilled nursing facility (SNF) or intermediate
care facility (ICF). Existing law requires a CNA to renew
the certification every 2 years. Existing law requires a
person applying for certification renewal to have completed
48 hours of in-service training in the previous 2 years.
At least 12 of the 48 hours of in-service training must be
completed in each of the two years. DHS is required to
prepare and maintain a list of approved training programs
for CNA assistant certification. DHS is also required to
inspect a representative sample of training programs. In
evaluating a training center's training program, DHS must
examine each training center's trainees' competency test
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STAFF ANALYSIS OF ASSEMBLY BILL 1235 (Emmerson and
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passage rate, and each program must maintain an average 60
percent test score passage rate to maintain its
participation in the program.
DHS indicates in-service training programs take place in a
nursing facility, and the facility must have a written plan
describing their in-service training program. Applications
for approval of the training programs are reviewed and
approved by DHS. In-service training consists of
participation in an organized learning experience, such as
a classroom setting. DHS indicates that prior to the
approval and renewal of a program, DHS staff ensures that
systems are in place to authenticate a tester through
visual confirmation, signature and follow-up or
re-evaluation of performance. DHS staff also monitor for
deficiencies related to in-service training programs via
complaints received from staff, patients, family members
and field surveyors.
The Licensing and Certification Division of DHS licenses
and certifies 30 different types of health facilities, and
regulates nurse assistant training programs in California.
DHS evaluates training programs to determine if they meet
state and federal requirements and investigates complaints
about training program performance. There are
approximately 1,400 skilled nursing facilities required to
provide in-service training to CNAs. Of those, 331 provide
CNA training programs.
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Arguments in support
This bill is sponsored by the California Association of
Homes and Services for the Aging to allow CNAs to take
advantage of online training programs for a portion of
their mandatory training every two years. In recent years,
online training technology has expanded and has become
capable of providing new and updated education programs.
The sponsors argue that other regulators allow online
training, including the Medical Board, the Board of
Registered Nurses, and the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
PRIOR ACTIONS
Assembly Floor: 78 - 0Pass to Consent
Assembly Appropriation: 18 - 0Do Pass as Amended to
Consent
Assembly Health: 14 - 0Do Pass to Consent
POSITIONS
Support: California Association of Homes and Services
for
the Aging (sponsor)
Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc.
Helios Healthcare, LLC
Oppose: None received
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