Bill

Bill > HB834


MS HB834

MS HB834
Medication aides; provide for certification of by State Department of Health.


summary

Introduced
01/16/2026
In Committee
01/16/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Be Known As The Medication Aide Act; To Provide For The Certification Of Medication Aides By The State Department Of Health; To Provide That A Medication Aide May Participate In Medication Administration When Certified Through A Medication Aide Certification Program In Accordance With This Act And Generally Managed By A Licensed Health Care Professional At A Nursing Facility; To Specify The Minimum Competencies For A Medication Aide; To Specify The Components Of A Medication Aide Certification Program, Which May Be Offered By Technical Or Community Colleges Or By A Licensed Health Care Professional Employed At A Nursing Facility; To Require Applicants To Complete Medication Aide Certification Training And Pass An Examination In Order To Be Certified; To Require Each Facility Operator Using Certified Medication Aides To Have A Written Policy Governing The Provision Of Medications By Certified Medication Aides; To Require Nursing Facilities To Disclose To Their Residents And Their Families That The Facility Employs And Uses Medication Aides; To Prescribe The Curriculum Standards For The Medication Aide Certification Program And The Required Information In The Program Instruction; To Provide That The Department Shall Have A Medication Aide Registry For Persons Who Have Been Certified As A Medication Aide; To Provide That The Department May Deny Registration Or Refuse Renewal Of Or Remove A Registration From The Medication Aide Registry For Failure To Meet The Standards And Competencies Or For Violation Of Any Provision Of This Act; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, known as the Medication Aide Act, establishes a certification process for medication aides by the State Department of Health to ensure safe and efficient medication administration in nursing facilities. Certified medication aides, under the general management of a licensed health care professional (meaning a healthcare worker whose job includes administering medication), can administer routine or as-needed (PRN) medications via oral, inhalation, topical, eye/ear/nasal instillation, and specific injections like insulin and anaphylactic treatments. To become certified, individuals must complete a minimum 15-hour training program covering essential competencies such as confidentiality, patient rights, hygiene, documentation, safety, and understanding their scope of practice, followed by passing an examination. These training programs can be offered by technical or community colleges or by licensed healthcare professionals within nursing facilities. The bill also mandates that facilities using certified medication aides have written policies outlining their duties, oversee their work, and disclose their employment to residents and their families. The Department will maintain a Medication Aide Registry, and can deny, refuse renewal, or remove a registration for failing to meet standards or violating the act.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)

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