Home health agencies: skilled nursing services.

Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation by the State Department of Public Health of home health agencies, which are private or public organizations that provide or arrange for the provision of skilled nursing services to persons in their temporary or permanent place of residence. "Skilled nursing services," for purposes of a home health agency, means services provided by a registered nurse or a licensed vocational nurse. Existing law, the Nursing Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of nursing by the Board of Registered Nursing. Existing law, the Vocational Nursing Practice Act, provides for the licensure and regulation of the practice of licensed vocational nursing by the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians of the State of California. This bill would require registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses who provide skilled nursing services for a home health agency to perform their duties consistent with the Nursing Practice Act and the Vocational Nursing Practice Act, respectively. The bill would prohibit registered nurses or licensed vocational nurses who otherwise meet the qualifications of the provisions relating to home health agencies from being required to have a minimum period of professional nursing experience prior to providing skilled nursing services for a home health agency, provided that the nurse has successfully completed specified training. Because a violation of the provisions relating to home health agencies is a misdemeanor, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.