Sec. 4. Training specification. By January 1, 2004, the State Board of Nursing, after consultation with the Department of Human Services, shall adopt rules specifying the educational programs for training nursing assistants for certification on the Maine Registry of Certified Nursing Assistants established under the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 1812-G. With regard to nursing assistants working in long-term care facilities and residential care facilities, the rules must establish 2 levels of certification for certified nursing assistants. The Certified Nursing Assistant Level I must be consistent with the minimum requirements under federal regulations and must require at least 75 hours of training. The Certified Nursing Assistant Level II must require at least 150 hours of training and successful completion of a training course in a related personal care field that is approved by the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Elder and Adult Services. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 5. Nursing facility administrator rules. By January 1, 2004, the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing Board shall amend the rules regarding the postsecondary education required for administrators licensed pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 32, chapter 2 to provide for the substitution of 5 years or more of experience as a director of nursing at a licensed nursing facility in place of the postsecondary educational requirement. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.

Sec. 6. Report on improvements to nursing facility inspection activities. The Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Maine Health Care Association, the State Board of Nursing and the long- term care ombudsman program, shall by January 15, 2004 present a report to the Joint Standing Committee on Health and Human Services on initiatives to improve and simplify the State's nursing facility inspection process. The report must include specific recommendations and, as appropriate, propose draft legislation regarding the following:

1. Paperwork reduction;

2. Elimination of duplication in nursing facility resident medication reviews by both registered nurses and registered pharmacists;