Relating to the direct care workforce, including the expansion of the direct care workforce registry

This bill relates to the direct care workforce, including the expansion of the direct care workforce registry. The bill includes legislative findings and intent relating to the direct care workforce and the needs of Iowans for direct care workforce services and supports. The bill requires the department of inspections and appeals (DIA) to expand the existing federally required direct care workforce registry to include all certified nurse assistants regardless of employment setting. DIA shall require all employers of certified nurse assistants, regardless of employment setting, to report the qualifying employment of a certified nurse assistant for inclusion in the direct care workforce registry. Currently, only long-term care facilities are required to report qualifying employment to the registry. The bill defines “direct care workforce” and “direct care workforce registry” for the purposes of the bill. The bill also requires DIA to convene a stakeholder advisory work group to develop a plan for the expansion of the direct care workforce registry. The bill specifies the components to be included in the plan and requires DIA to submit the plan to the governor and the general assembly no later than December 15, 2021. If federal or other funding becomes available, DIA may implement the plan without additional legislative approval. The bill also requires the department of education and the department of public health, in collaboration with the department of workforce development, department of human services, and DIA, to incorporate the enhanced direct care workforce registry created in the bill into existing health, direct care, and long-term services and supports workforce dashboard data, and to utilize such data in informing the state’s strategies to build a strong health, direct care, and long-term services and supports workforce. The department of education and the department of public health shall submit a progress report on the work of the interagency collaboration to the governor and the general assembly, annually, by January 15.