Establishing a nursing home administrator training pilot program

This bill requires the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing (DIAL) to establish a nursing home administrator training pilot program (pilot program) to provide opportunities for individuals pursuing the profession of nursing home administrator, prior to an individual receiving a nursing home administrator license, to obtain on-the-job experience supervised by a licensed nursing home administrator. An applicant for the pilot program shall provide evidence to DIAL of: compliance with the requirements for an applicant for a nursing home administrator license to be of sound mental health and physically able to perform the duties and to have presented satisfactory evidence of sufficient education, training, or experience to administer, supervise, and manage a nursing home; an offer of employment from a participating nursing home in the state that has received a minimum overall rating of three stars from the federal five-star quality rating system; the name of the participating nursing home in which the applicant will be employed and train; and the name of the participating nursing home administrator who will act as the applicant’s supervisor during the pilot program. Upon acceptance into the pilot program, the nursing home administrator trainee shall work in the participating nursing facility under the supervision of a participating nursing home administrator for a minimum of two consecutive years. During the training period, the board shall grant the trainee a provisional license and waive the examination requirements and any continuing education requirements prescribed by the board. Subject to the availability of funds appropriated to DIAL for the purpose of the pilot program: DIAL shall consider approving up to applicants in the first year of the pilot program; and DIAL shall reimburse the participating nursing home for percent of the trainee’s base salary during the first year, not to exceed $30,000, and percent of the trainee’s base salary during the second year, not to exceed $10,000. If a trainee is terminated by the participating nursing home for cause, the trainee shall refund to DIAL the portion of the trainee’s base salary reimbursed by DIAL. Upon completion of the training period, the participating nursing home shall submit verification to the board that the trainee is in good professional standing and shall report any unprofessional conduct or disciplinary action taken against the trainee during the training period. Notwithstanding any other required qualifications for licensure, upon completion of the training period and payment of the license fee, the trainee shall be eligible for licensure as a nursing home administrator. The bill directs DIAL to adopt administrative rules to administer the pilot program. The bill requires DIAL to submit a report to the general assembly by December 31, 2026, with an assessment of the pilot program and a recommendation to continue the pilot program, continue the pilot program with modifications, or terminate the pilot program.9 to authorize the board to adopt rules to grant a nursing home administrator provisional license to a nursing home administrator trainee while participating in the pilot program.