Senate committee considers bill to require dementia training for certified nurse aides

Senate Labor and Commerce on Wednesday heard testimony on Senate Bill 103, a measure that would strengthen training requirements for certified nurse aides in Alaska to include dementia and Alzheimer—s care and related skills, sponsor Senator Grama Jackson said. The committee set the bill aside for further consideration at the end of the hearing.

SB 103 would add new training standards to the statutory framework for certified nurse aide programs. "Regulations adopted in this section...must require that the program be conducted in a manner that ensures clients receive safe and competent care," staff member Deirdre Goins told the committee as she summarized the bill—s sectional analysis. Goins listed competencies the bill would require, including forming relationships with clients, sensitivity to emotional and mental health needs, observing and reporting changes in condition, using problem-solving approaches, and providing care for clients with cognitive decline.

The bill—s sponsor, Senator Grama Jackson of Anchorage, said Alaska—s aging population and increasingly complex patient needs motivated the proposal. "By modernizing training requirements, Senate Bill 103 will help build a more skilled workforce," Jackson said. The bill—s Section 2 sets an effective date of Jan. 1, 2026, to allow the licensing agency time to implement the changes, Goins said.

Several invited witnesses spoke in support. Maureen Townsend of Soldotna, who described herself as a former CNA trainee, said she was not prepared for work with dementia residents during clinicals and that a lack of behavioral management training had deterred her from continuing in the field. "I was not prepared for working with a dementia patient," Townsend said. Retired nurse Michelle Cassano said inadequate dementia-specific training in some facilities led to unnecessary emergency-room transports for her husband, who had Alzheimer—s. Cassano told the committee those emergency visits cost "close to $14,000 per visit" and that better training could reduce unnecessary hospital use.

Kaye Papacristo, outreach director at Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska, testified the organization supports SB 103 and that consistent, statewide dementia training would improve care and staff safety. Carrie Tupou, the committee—s recording secretary, and LIO moderator Doug Britches were present for the hearing. The committee also noted the presence of Sylvan Robb from the Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing for questions from members, though no questions were recorded on the bill.

With no formal vote recorded, Chair Merrick said the committee would "set this bill aside for further consideration." The bill would require the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (the licensing agency referenced in testimony) to adopt implementing regulations under the statutory section cited in the bill text. The bill's stated effective date is Jan. 1, 2026.

The hearing combined personal testimony about workforce retention and patient safety with a detailed statutory summary from staff. The committee did not advance SB 103 at the hearing and will consider it again at a later date.