Expands the circumstances where direct support staff can administer medications

This bill expands the situations in which direct support staff are permitted to administer medications to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. It allows these staff members to perform medication tasks under the supervision of a registered professional nurse and after completing specific training, provided a memorandum of understanding is established between relevant agencies. The legislation requires separate annual certification for staff handling medications, tube feeding, or diabetic care, mandates criminal and agency background checks for new hires, and prohibits staff from assessing medication needs or representing themselves as licensed nurses. The changes are designed to support consumer-directed care models while maintaining safety standards through nursing oversight and clear role boundaries.