S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   6223
 
                        2019-2020 Regular Sessions
 
                             I N  S E N A T E
 
                               May 24, 2019
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  Sens. RIVERA, HOYLMAN -- read twice and ordered printed,
   and when printed to be committed 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 transgen-
   der individuals
   THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
 BLY, 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 popu-
 lations, 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  transgen-
 der (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 individ-
 uals 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 ques-
 tions 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
              
             
                          
                
 S. 6223                             2
 
   (i) teach the nuances of asking questions  related  to  sexual  orien-
 tation 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.