Mississippi House Bill HB794

Mississippi 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/23
• Refer: 1/16/23
• Failed: 1/31/23

Caption

Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs); transfer administration of certification from Health Department to Board of Nursing.

Impact

The bill outlines a set of duties for the Board of Nursing that include prescribing certification requirements, approving training courses, administering certification examinations, and maintaining the certified nurse aide registry. By placing the administration of CNA certification under the Board of Nursing, proponents believe this will lead to more rigorous standards and consistent oversight. The intended outcome is a more organized approach to qualifying nurse aides, which could potentially enhance the quality of care provided to patients by ensuring that CNAs meet higher standards.

Summary

House Bill 794 aims to change the structure of certified nurse aide (CNA) certification in Mississippi by transferring the administration of the certification process from the State Department of Health to the Mississippi Board of Nursing. This bill seeks to streamline the process and assign clearer responsibilities to a specialized board that focuses on nursing, which may lead to improvements in the training and certification of nurse aides. The transfer is set to take effect on July 1, 2023, positioning the Board of Nursing as the authority for overseeing CNA certification standards.

Contention

Despite its intended goals, the bill has been met with some concerns regarding the shift of responsibility. Advocates of the current system argue that the State Department of Health has the necessary experience and resources to manage the certification process effectively. There are fears that the transition to the Board of Nursing may lead to bureaucratic hurdles or inconsistencies during the changeover, impacting the approval and renewal process for existing CNAs. Additionally, stakeholders question whether this change will truly enhance operational efficiency or simply create additional layers of regulation without tangible benefits.