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S 1623

Provides that written notice of premium rate changes be given not less than sixty days prior to the effective date of such rate changes

2025 Regular Session Introduced by George Borrello

Establishes a state CMA program in which trained aides administer non-narcotic oral/topical meds in long-term care, expanding med administration capacity and easing nurse workloads

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Bill Summary · S 1623

Summary — S 1623 (2025) — "An Act relative to certified medication aides"

Note: The bill text filed for S 1623 concerns creation of a certified medication aide program in Massachusetts. Some supplied metadata (title, sponsors, committee listings) appears inconsistent with the bill text; this summary focuses on the statutory language provided.

Purpose

To establish a state-administered program authorizing and regulating certified medication aides (CMAs) who are trained and tested to administer oral and topical non‑narcotic medications to residents of long‑term care facilities, thereby expanding medication administration capacity in these settings.

Key provisions

  • Definition: A "certified medication aide" is a staff member who meets eligibility requirements, completes DPH‑developed training, and passes competency testing, and is deemed competent to administer oral and topical non‑narcotic medications in long‑term care facilities. (Section 72CC(a))
  • Program creation: The Department of Public Health (DPH) must create the CMA program in consultation with relevant agencies and licensing boards, including the Board of Registration in Nursing. (b)
  • Training & competency: DPH will develop and approve the training curriculum, competency evaluation procedures, applicant qualification standards, and monitoring/oversight requirements for participating long‑term care facilities. (c)
  • Regulation elements: DPH regulations must include continuing education requirements for CMAs; biennial re‑certification; and fees for issuance of certification. (d)
  • Apprenticeships: DPH may allow apprenticeship programs enabling currently employed resident care assistants (RCAs) and certified nurse aides (CNAs) to become CMAs. (e)
  • Rulemaking authority: DPH may promulgate rules to implement the section. (f)

Who is affected

  • Residents of long‑term care facilities (nursing homes, similar facilities) — may receive medications from CMAs.
  • Current facility staff (RCAs, CNAs) — new training and certification pathway; potential for expanded job duties.
  • Long‑term care facilities and DPH — new oversight, training and certification responsibilities.
  • Registered nurses and nursing boards — involvement in program development and potential changes to delegation/scope practices.

Implementation & timeline

  • DPH must develop curricula, competency testing, regulations, fees, continuing education and re‑certification processes; the bill grants DPH rulemaking authority but does not set fixed deadlines or funding in the text.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Likely to increase medication administration capacity and reduce nurse workload in long‑term care facilities.
  • May improve access/timeliness of routine medication administration for residents.
  • Raises implementation questions: training standards and oversight, limits on medication types/routes (excludes narcotics and non‑oral/topical routes), liability/insurability, fee levels, and effects on nursing practice and patient safety.
  • No appropriation or explicit funding mechanism is included in the text.

Procedural status (from provided metadata)

  • Introduced 2025; referred to committee(s). (Metadata contains inconsistent committee and sponsor listings; consult official legislative records for current status and sponsorship.)

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

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