Budget Amendment ID: FY2023-S4-437

EHS 437

CNA Certification Pilot Program

Mr. Keenan, Ms. Gobi, Ms. Jehlen, Ms. Rausch and Messrs. Hinds, Timilty and Moore moved that the proposed new text be amended by inserting after section __ the following section:-

“SECTION __. (a) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, the executive office of health and human services, shall, within six months of the effective date of this act, fund, establish and implement an incumbent healthcare worker CNA certification pilot program to demonstrate the impact of a program for work-based learning that offers paid training of incumbent health care workers with limited access to current CNA certification training and difficulty attending traditionally scheduled classes while fulfilling work responsibilities. Said pilot program shall include training provided in multiple languages, including, but not limited to, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Chinese. All CNA examination components shall be available to all qualified candidates in multiple languages, including, but not limited to, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole and Chinese, and shall be eligible for state appropriations and supplemental provider rates that offset employer’s cost of providing this training and shall be utilized for paid training opportunities.

(b) There is hereby established an incumbent healthcare worker CNA certification pilot program advisory committee. Said committee shall consist of the secretary of health and human services or a designee who shall serve as chair; the house and senate chairs of the joint committee on labor and workforce development; and 1 person to be appointed by each of the following organizations: the Commonwealth Corporation; the SEIU 1199 Training and Upgrading Fund; the Massachusetts Senior Care Association; and the Massachusetts Hospital and Health Systems Association. The advisory committee shall advise the coordinator on matters and policies affecting the pilot program; supply constituent focused labor market information; review general programmatic parameters and guidelines; and assist with the identification of issues and barriers to the Pilot’s efficiency and effectiveness. The committee shall meet no less frequently than bi-monthly.

(c) Not later than six months after implementation of said pilot program, the executive office of health and human services shall provide a final report detailing the results of the pilot program and offering findings and recommendations for subsequent state action to the joint committee on labor and workforce development, the joint committee on health care financing and the house and senate committees on ways and means.”