What's happening
This bill requires home health and nurse's aides in New York to receive training on working with LGBT individuals.
Why it matters
Ensures culturally competent care. by requiring aides to understand LGBT identities, unique health needs, and the importance of affirming care, which can improve health outcomes and comfort for LGBT patients—especially older adults who may have faced discrimination.
Mandates education on legal rights and protections. for LGBT individuals, helping staff recognize and uphold these rights and reduce the risk of unintentional discrimination or violation of patient protections.
Promotes safer, more inclusive care settings. by training aides on how to respectfully ask and respond to questions about sexual orientation and gender identity, fostering environments where LGBT patients feel seen and supported.
Ties training to professional certification. so that all new and renewing home health and nurse's aides must complete this education, raising the standard of care across the state and ensuring ongoing competency as part of professional development.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Train Aides on LGBT Care
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to health
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Train Aides on LGBT Care
In Senate Committee · Health · Sponsor Gustavo Rivera
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7589
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 10, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. DINOWITZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Health
AN ACT relating to requiring home health aides and nurse's aides to receive training in working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The commissioner of health, in consultation with the commissioner of education, shall develop a training program unit which focuses on working with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations, as part of the state approved education or training programs required for certification of home health aides, personal care aides, personal care staff, and certified nurse's aides.
§ 2. The training program unit required by this act should include the following components and information:
(a) an explanation of the terms lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT);
(b) an understanding of why LGBT individuals may hide their identity;
(c) incorporate LGBT concerns into person-directed care, so that each individual can make the best decisions for their own situation;
(d) specific information designed for staff working in nursing care or other residential care settings;
(e) unique needs of LGBT individuals, including older adults;
(f) an overview of the various rights and protections extended to LGBT individuals;
(g) best practices for creating communities welcoming to LGBT individuals including older adults, their loved ones, and their caregivers;
(h) practical tips from experts about how to ask questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity and understand why these questions are important for all service organizations;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11270-01-9
A. 7589 2
(i) teach the nuances of asking questions related to sexual orientation and gender identity to LGBT individuals, including older adults;
(j) how to respectfully respond to questions and concerns that arise in conversations relating to sexual orientation and gender identity; and
(k) best practices for providing transgender affirming care.
§ 3. The training unit required by this act shall be developed within six months of the effective date of this act and shall be required for all certifications and re-certifications of home health aides, personal care aides, personal care staff, and certified nurse's aides issued on and after such six month date.
§ 4. This act shall take effect immediately.
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.