SECTION 1. Chapter 111 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 72AA the following section:-

Section 72BB. (a) As used in this section the following word shall have the following meaning:-

“Certified medication aide,” any employee of a facility who has completed a department-certified medication administration training program and is therefore qualified to dispense medication to patients in the facility.

(b) The department shall establish rules and regulations to establish a medication administration training and certification program for medication aides. The regulations shall include: (1) provisions for continuing education requirements for certified medication aides; (2) requirements for re-certification of certified medication aides on a biennial basis; (3) fees for the issuance of certification to certified medication aides; and (4) standards for qualification of applicants for certification, including the applicant's criminal history, work record, and prohibitions against behavior which may be potentially harmful to patients.

(c) The department may promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this section.