Bill Summary for Bill Number SB05-155

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB05-155

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Votes:

Action Taken:

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11:17 AM -- Senate Bill 05-155

Representative Jahn, sponsor, presented the bill allowing certified nurse aides (CNAs) to administer medication to patients. Amendments L.008, L.009, L.010, L.012 L.013, and L.014 were distributed to members (Attachments A through F).

The following persons testified.

11:24 AM -- Kristine Reuss, RN, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. She discussed her family's experience with medication aides and answered questions about the nursing shortage, safeguards for medication administration by CNAs, the process of administering medication, education levels of nurses, nurse oversight of medication administration, and administration of routine medications.

11:38 AM -- Marion Thornton, RN, citizen, discussed her concerns with the bill's potential unintended consequences, including increased demand for nursing faculty to educate CNAs.

11:42 AM -- Eve Hoygaard, RN, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.

11:47 AM -- Danette Reitz, RN, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. She discussed the type of patients currently cared for in nursing homes and the nursing shortage. She answered questions about differences in pay for CNAs and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

11:53 AM -- Paula Stearns, Colorado Nurses Association, spoke in opposition of the bill. She discussed concerns regarding patient safety and answered questions about nurses' opposition to the bill, similar legislation in other states, and CNAs' work skills.

12:02 PM -- Nisa Levy, NP, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. She discussed concerns regarding the bill's impact on patient safety. She answered questions about recommended amendments to the bill.

12:08 PM -- Chris Crower, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill.

12:09 PM -- Neil Hillyard, citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. He discussed employee supervision and liability issues.

12:18 PM -- Janet Snipes, nursing home administrator, discussed pay rates for LPNs and CNAs and the nursing shortage.

12:20 PM -- Beth Irtz, RN, Pinon Management, spoke in support of the bill.

12:22 PM -- Arlene Miles, Colorado Health Care Association, discussed the nursing shortage, legislation regarding medication aides in other states, and career ladders for CNAs. She answered questions about pay rates for LPNs and CNAs, the cost of long-term care, and staffing ratios.

12:31 PM -- Mary Grace Smigiel, Colorado Homes and Services for the Aging, spoke in support of the bill. She discussed the education and experience of medication aides. She answered questions about facilities that may benefit from the bill's provisions.

12:38 PM -- Rose McCool, Department of Regulatory Agencies, spoke in support of the bill and discussed laws regarding criminal background checks for health care providers.

12:42 PM

Representative Boyd announced SB 155 would be heard for action only on Monday, April 25.