Bill > HB1926

This bill addresses training and testing requirements for home care aides in Washington state by modifying existing laws. The bill requires the department of health to collaborate with the department of social and health services to develop a plan for integrating testing into the home care aide training process, using a phased transition approach that prioritizes existing community and facility-based training programs. The legislation modifies certification timelines for long-term care workers, allowing the department to establish new rules for when and how workers must become certified as home care aides. The bill also expands testing options, including exploring remote testing to reduce travel time for applicants, and mandates that examinations be available in the applicant's preferred language. By July 1, 2028, the bill aims to make home care aide testing available in qualified facility and community-based training programs, with testing conducted by facility and community trainers contracted with the state. Additionally, the legislation requires an annual evaluation of examination results across different languages to ensure fairness and accuracy, and introduces a new definition for "training partnership affiliate" to clarify testing implementation. The overall goal is to improve the training, certification, and testing process for home care aides while maintaining high standards of competency and accessibility.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1926&Year=2025&Initiative=false