MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2024 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representative Hobgood-Wilkes
AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 73-15-71, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO TRANSFER THE ADMINISTRATION OF CERTIFICATION OF CERTIFIED NURSE AIDES (CNAS) FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO THE MISSISSIPPI BOARD OF NURSING; TO PRESCRIBE THE MINIMUM DUTIES OF THE BOARD FOR THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 73-15-71, Mississippi Code of 1972:
73-15-71. (1) From and after July 1, 2024, the certification of certified nurse aides (CNAs) shall be administered by the Mississippi Board of Nursing instead of the State Department of Health. The duties of the board for the certification process shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Prescribe the requirements for certification and recertification of nurse aides;
(b) Approve training courses for persons to be eligible to take the certification examination;
(c) Administer the certification examination or contract with an administrator to develop, schedule, administer, score and report the results of the certification examination;
(d) Issue certifications and renewals of certifications for nurse aides; and
(e) Maintaining the Mississippi certified nurse aide registry.
(2) The Mississippi Board of Nursing is authorized to promulgate and enforce such rules, regulations and standards as needed to carry out the provisions of this section.
SECTION 2. Any position or positions at the State Department of Health whose duties are substantially involved with the administration of certification of CNAs shall be transferred to the Mississippi Board of Nursing.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2024.