What's happening
This bill adds certified nursing assistants to the law restricting consecutive work hours for nurses in New York.
Why it matters
Expanding worker protections. By including certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in the law limiting consecutive work hours, the bill broadens labor protections that were previously only available to registered and licensed practical nurses, potentially reducing burnout and improving job satisfaction for CNAs.
Patient care implications. Limiting consecutive hours for CNAs may lead to better rest and focus among these frontline health workers, which can directly affect the quality and safety of patient care, especially in long-term care and nursing home settings where CNAs are primary caregivers.
Workforce and staffing impact. Health care facilities may need to adjust staffing practices and schedules to comply with the new rules for CNAs, which could prompt hiring more staff or changing shift patterns—potentially affecting both operational costs and workforce planning.
Recognition of CNA roles. The bill formally acknowledges the essential role of CNAs in patient care by granting them the same labor protections as other nursing staff, which may elevate the status of the profession and encourage recruitment and retention in a field facing chronic shortages.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Limit CNA Overtime Hours
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to labor
- Referred to labor
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3719
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GUNTHER, ABINANTI, JAFFEE, STECK, COLTON -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. PERRY -- read once and referred to the Committee on Labor
AN ACT to amend the labor law, in relation to including certified nursing assistants in provisions of law relating to restrictions on consecutive hours of work
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Paragraph b of subdivision 1 of section 167 of the labor law, as added by chapter 493 of the laws of 2008, is amended and a new paragraph d is added to read as follows:
b. "Nurse" shall mean a registered professional nurse or a licensed practical nurse as defined by article one hundred thirty-nine of the education law who provides direct patient care, or a certified nursing assistant as defined in this subdivision.
d. "Certified nursing assistant" shall mean a person who has successfully completed a nurse aide training and/or competency evaluation program administered by the department of health and/or is currently listed in the nurse aide registry.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00477-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.