SENATE BILL 14

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE; PROVIDING FOR MINIMUM TRAINING AND CREDENTIALING STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL DIRECT HOME CARE SERVICES PROVIDERS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. [NEW MATERIAL] PROFESSIONAL DIRECT HOME CARE SERVICES--CERTIFICATION--COURSE OF STUDY--DISCIPLINE.--

          A. An individual who provides professional direct home care services shall possess a current certification in direct home care issued by the department.

          B. The department shall create a program through which an individual who has passed an examination after fulfilling a department-approved course of study may receive triennial credentialing and recredentialing.

          C. The department shall establish by rule the standards for approval of a course of study in professional direct home care services. Those standards shall include:

                (1) training in key competencies that the department shall establish by rule; and

                (2) accreditation by a national professional direct home care services accrediting body.

          D. A person who violates a provision of this section shall be subject to discipline pursuant to the Uniform Licensing Act.

          E. For the purposes of this section:

                (1) "department" means the regulation and licensing department; and

                (2) "professional direct home care services" means services provided by an individual who performs those services in a residential setting for pay, including:

                     (a) personal care, including dressing, bathing, eating, ambulating, toileting and hygiene;

                     (b) administration of medication; and

                     (c) meal preparation.

- 2 -