Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bill would let CNAs keep registry status while employed by IDD and home-care providers to ease staffing shortages
Summary
LB 42 would allow certified nurse aides to maintain active registry status while employed by intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) providers and in-home care settings, a change supporters say will reduce turnover and broaden staffing options for high-acuity clients.
Senator Merv Riepe reintroduced LB 42 to let certified nurse aides (CNAs) retain active status on Nebraska’s nurse-aide registry while employed in intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) provider settings and certain home- and community-based services.
Supporters from IDD providers, home-care agencies and aging-services groups told the committee the current rule forces many CNAs to choose between remaining in IDD/home settings and keeping their registry active. Witnesses said providers either lose staff to skilled-nursing facilities or employees maintain a nominal shift elsewhere to preserve their registration—an inefficient workaround that undermines retention and continuity of care for clients with complex medical needs.
Why it matters: Testimony emphasized workforce shortage impacts across IDD services, home care and rural areas. Tabatha Cunningham of Hands of Heartland described about 30 of her 290 direct-support professionals as CNAs and said the change would “help us serve our clients with higher acuity needs and remove barriers to work and increase workforce opportunities.” Providers and aging-services representatives said the amendment would reduce turnover costs, preserve specialized skills and help keep clients in community-based settings.
Implementation: Witnesses said CNA duties and supervision would remain governed by existing scope-of-practice and nurse oversight. The measure was advanced previously in committee but did not become law because of a fiscal note last session; sponsors said there is no fiscal ask in the current bill.
What didn’t change today: The committee took testimony and did not record a vote. Providers asked the committee to advance LB 42 to ease staff recruitment and retention in community settings.
Ending note: Proponents urged lawmakers to remove a regulatory barrier they say forces a choice between community employment and maintaining licensure; proponents argued the bill supports Nebraska’s ability to deliver in-home and IDD services and to retain trained caregivers.
