Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5257 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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5	5	2025 -- H 5257
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7	7	LC000928
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9	9	S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
10	10	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
11	11	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
12	12	____________
13	13
14	14	A N A C T
15	15	RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- NURSING HOME WORKFORCE STAND ARDS
16	16	BOARD ACT
17	17	Introduced By: Representatives Slater, Diaz, Potter, O'Brien, DeSimone, Stewart, Voas,
18	18	Cruz, and Morales
19	19	Date Introduced: January 31, 2025
20	20	Referred To: House Health & Human Services
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23	23	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
24	24	SECTION 1. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds and declares that: 1
25	25	1. The quality of care in nursing homes is integral to the well-being and dignity of residents. 2
26	26	2. A direct correlation exists between the quality of the workforce and the quality of care 3
27	27	provided in nursing homes. 4
28	28	3. Empirical data and concrete evidence are vital for setting equitable and effective 5
29	29	standards within nursing homes. 6
30	30	4. Consistent operational standards are necessary to foster a fair and competitive 7
31	31	environment in the nursing home sector. 8
32	32	5. Addressing wage disparities in the nursing home sector is crucial for attracting and 9
33	33	retaining qualified staff. 10
34	34	6. Promoting cooperative dynamics between nursing home operators and employees is 11
35	35	vital for resolving industry-specific challenges and enhancing care quality. 12
36	36	7. The establishment of an Advisory Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, overseen 13
37	37	by the department of labor and training, will enhance communication and collaboration across the 14
38	38	sector. 15
39	39	SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby 16
40	40	amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 17
41	41	CHAPTER 17.31 18
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43	43
44	44	LC000928 - Page 2 of 4
45	45	NURSING HOME WORKFORCE STANDARDS BOARD ACT 1
46	46	23-17.31-1. Rhode Island nursing home workforce standards advisory board created-2
47	47	Compensation and oversight. 3
48	48	(a) There is hereby established the Rhode Island nursing home workforce standards 4
49	49	advisory board, hereinafter referred to as the "board", which shall serve in an advisory capacity to 5
50	50	the Rhode Island general assembly and be overseen by the department of labor and training. The 6
51	51	board shall consist of thirteen (13) members: 7
52	52	(1) The director of the department of labor and training or their designee, serving as the 8
53	53	chairperson. 9
54	54	(2) Three (3) members representing nursing home employers: one appointed by the 10
55	55	governor, one by the speaker of the house and one by the president of the senate. 11
56	56	(3) Three (3) members representing nursing home workers: one appointed by the governor, 12
57	57	one by the speaker of the house, and one by the president of the senate. 13
58	58	(4) Two (2) members representing community organizations that work with the Medicaid 14
59	59	population: one appointed by the speaker of the house and one by the president of the senate. 15
60	60	(5) One member representing a joint labor-management multi-employer nonprofit training 16
61	61	fund, appointed by the governor. 17
62	62	(6) The secretary of the Rhode Island executive office of health and human services or their 18
63	63	designee. 19
64	64	(7) The director of the Rhode Island department of health or their designee. 20
65	65	(8) The long-term care state ombudsman or their designee. 21
66	66	(b) All appointed members shall serve for terms of three (3) years and may be reappointed. 22
67	67	Vacancies shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment but only for the unexpired 23
68	68	portion of the term. Members shall not be compensated for their services. 24
69	69	23-17.31-2. Powers and duties of the board. 25
70	70	The board shall have the power and duty to: 26
71	71	(1) Advise the general assembly and the department of labor and training on market 27
72	72	conditions, wages, benefits, and working conditions in the nursing home industry. 28
73	73	(2) Recommend minimum statewide compensation and working standards for nursing 29
74	74	home workers. 30
75	75	(3) Propose minimum standards for nursing home worker training programs. 31
76	76	(4) Assist in ensuring compliance by employers with the recommended standards. 32
77	77	23-17.31-3. Access to information. 33
78	78	To the extent allowable pursuant to state and federal law, the department of health, the 34
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81	81	LC000928 - Page 3 of 4
82	82	executive office of health and human services, and/or the department of labor and training, shall 1
83	83	facilitate in the sharing of data requested by the board relating to the operation of nursing homes, 2
84	84	in order for the board to perform its duties. 3
85	85	SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. 4
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91	91	LC000928 - Page 4 of 4
92	92	EXPLANATION
93	93	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
94	94	OF
95	95	A N A C T
96	96	RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- NURSING HOME WORKFORCE STAN DARDS
97	97	BOARD ACT
98	98	***
99	99	This act would establish the Rhode Island nursing home workforce standards advisory 1
100	100	board for the purpose of advising the general assembly and the department of labor and training on 2
101	101	market conditions, wages, benefits, working conditions in the nursing home industry, minimum 3
102	102	statewide compensation and working standards for nursing home workers. 4
103	103	This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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