SECTION 1. Chapter 23 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2004 official edition is hereby amended by inserting after section 9R the following new section:

The Commonwealth Corporation shall, subject to appropriation, establish an extended care career ladder grant program, consistent with section 410 of chapter 159 of the Acts of 2000.  Grants shall be available for certified nurses’ aides, home health aides, homemakers and other entry level workers in long-term care.  The grants may include training for English for speakers of other languages and other language and adult basic education programs to improve quality of care and improve direct care worker access to and participation in career ladder training.  The length of such grants shall not exceed a period of 3 years.  The Commonwealth Corporation shall submit quarterly reports to the house and senate committees on ways and means on said grant program including, but not limited to, the number of grants awarded, the amount of each grant, a description of the career ladder programs, changes in care-giving and workplace practices that have occurred and their impact on quality of care and worker retention and the certificates, degrees or professional status attained by each participating employee.  The administrative and program management costs for the implementation of said grant program shall not exceed 4 per cent of the amount of the grant program.  Each grant may include funding for technical assistance and evaluation.