Bill advances to update CNA training

JUNEAU, AK — The Alaska House of Representatives adopted a landmark piece of legislation today sponsored by Rep. Jubilee Underwood, R-Wasilla, aimed at modernizing the training requirements for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) in Alaska. The vote was 39-0.

House Bill 244 focuses on implementing regulatory changes that mandate more extensive Alzheimer’s and dementia training as a prerequisite for CNA licensing.

With an estimated 12,000 Alaskans currently living with some form of dementia, the need for specialized care has never been more urgent.

“HB 244 seeks to ensure that those on the front lines of caregiving are equipped with the specific skills necessary to support patients who may no longer understand the world around them or possess the ability to speak for themselves,” Rep. Underwood said. “The training provided by HB 244 will help CNAs manage challenging behaviors, including instances where patients may be frightened or combative, without becoming flustered.”

HB 244 updates regulatory requirements to reflect the current medical reality of Alaska’s aging population and implements a more ethical approach to the daily management of memory care patients.

The bill now moves to the Alaska Senate.