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HB 7938

AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- REGISTRATION OF NURSING ASSISTANTS -- QUALIFYING LANGUAGE

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Karen Alzate and 9 co-sponsors

HB 7938 modifies nursing assistant registration language qualifications in Rhode Island to address potential barriers in professional credentialing requirements.

06/09/2026 Referred to Senate Health and Human Services
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Bill Summary · HB 7938

Legislative bill overview

HB 7938 modifies Rhode Island's nursing assistant registration requirements by adjusting language qualifications for licensure. The bill appears to address barriers related to English language proficiency or literacy requirements that nursing assistants must meet to register and practice in the state. This represents a targeted adjustment to existing professional credentialing standards.

Why is this important

Nursing assistants provide essential direct patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. Licensing requirements that create unnecessary barriers can reduce the healthcare workforce—particularly affecting immigrant communities—while qualification changes that lower meaningful standards could impact patient safety. The balance between accessibility and competency is significant for both workforce sustainability and care quality.

Potential points of contention

  • Language proficiency vs. patient safety: Determining what level of English communication is necessary for safe patient care versus what constitutes an unnecessary barrier
  • Workforce equity concerns: Whether current qualifying language requirements disproportionately exclude qualified non-native English speakers who can perform the role safely
  • Implementation clarity: What specific language changes are being made and how they'll be assessed during registration without creating new administrative burdens

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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