Bill > H2381

This bill modifies existing law regarding Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training by requiring that CNA training programs be available in multiple languages beyond English. Specifically, the bill mandates that the commissioner of public health, after consulting with the secretary of elder affairs and the board of registration, establish CNA training standards that include a minimum of 60 hours of training, and crucially, ensure that these training programs are delivered in languages including Spanish, Chinese, and Haitian Creole. The bill gives the department the authority to determine which specific languages the training will be offered in, with the apparent goal of making CNA training more accessible to healthcare workers from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This change is significant because it aims to remove language barriers that might prevent potential nursing assistants from completing their required training, potentially helping to address workforce shortages in long-term care facilities and improving the diversity and inclusivity of healthcare training programs.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2381