A local lawmaker says a new law will help staff nursing homes and give reassurance to long-term care residents.
Representative Tim Bonner of the 17th District says the bill would require nurse staffing agencies to register with the Department of Health .
“It will designate the Department of Health as the central repository agency for gathering data on temporary staffing agencies,” Bonner said. “It will provide important information, oversight of these agencies, and provide a due process system for any complaints that are ledged against them.”
Bonner said 70 percent of nursing homes in the state are dealing with workforce shortages and have had to turn to staffing agencies to help their operations.
“[The staffing agencies] are required to present to nursing homes where they are supplying nurses, the proper credentials, criminal background checks, malpractice insurance at least $500,000 per nurse, and due process rights in the event of any alleged violation of the registration law,” Bonner said.
