For purposes of this resolve, "unlicensed direct-care staff" means personal care attendants, certified nursing assistants, certified residential medication aides, residential care specialists I, home health aides and unlicensed mental health workers; and be it further

Sec. 2. Public awareness campaign. Resolved: That the Department of Human Services, the State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Education shall conduct a public awareness campaign to educate the public about career opportunities in long-term care, to promote training opportunities for unlicensed direct-care staff positions and to improve the status of unlicensed direct-care staff; and be it further

Sec. 3. Proposed legislation to expand training opportunities for unlicensed direct-care staff. Resolved: That the Department of Human Services, the State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Education shall work together and by December 15, 2002 shall submit proposed legislation to the First Regular Session of the 121st Legislature to expand training opportunities for unlicensed direct-care staff. In drafting the proposed legislation, consideration must be given to eliminating financial, geographical and other barriers that prevent individuals from obtaining the training needed to enter or advance in the profession and to increasing the share of training costs included in reimbursement rates under the Medicaid program for providers of long-term care services; and be it further

Sec. 4. Guidelines. Resolved: That in performing the responsibilities provided for in sections 1 to 3, the Department of Human Services, the State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Education must be guided by the purposes of elevating the status of unlicensed direct-care staff, promoting the most efficient use of existing unlicensed direct-care staff in the long-term care system and expanding training opportunities for unlicensed direct-care staff.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Department of Human Services, the State Board of Nursing and the State Board of Education to undertake initiatives regarding the training and certification of unlicensed direct-care staff in the long-term care system. The

resolve also requires those entities to initiate a public awareness campaign and propose legislation to expand training opportunities.