Section 1

Enacts new GS 131D-4.5D (Adult care home staff; dementia care training requirements). Directs the Division of Health Service Regulation (Division) to identify and designate standardized training programs for initial dementia care that meet several requirements, including instruction on the progression of dementia and how to address aspects of care and safety, and reflection of current standards and best practices in dementia treatment and care, and to establish a process to determine whether nonstandardized trainings meet the requirements of this statute. Provides that GS 131E-114.5(b) [intends GS 131D-4.5D(b)], enacted in subsection (a), applies to staff persons hired on or after October 1, 2017. Further, requires adult care homes to, by December 1, 2017, provide initial dementia care training that meets the requirements of GS 131E-114.5(c) [intends GS 131D-4.5D(c)], as enacted by this act, to staff persons hired before October 1, 2017, who are unable to demonstrate proof of having completed, within the 24-month period preceding October 1, 2017, training equivalent to the initial dementia care training described in GS 131E-114.5(c) [intends GS 131D-4.5D(c)], as enacted by this act.

Requires adult care homes to provide continuing dementia care education to their staff, in compliance with rules adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services (Department) regarding frequency and content of continuing education. Requires adult care home or training programs to issue certificates of completion, portable between settings, to staff who successfully complete a training. Provides that initial dementia care training does not need to be repeated so long as there is not a lapse in dementia-related direct care or administrative service or employment for 24 consecutive months or more. Requires in-person dementia care trainers to have at least two years of work experience related to dementia, or two years of work experience in health care, gerontology, or another related field, and to have completed training equivalent to those required in this statute and to have passed an evaluation that included a demonstration of skills and knowledge. Provides that adult care homes bear the entire cost of training required by this statute, and that staff persons shall not bear any of the cost of this training, and shall receive normal compensation when attending these trainings. Provides that if other state or federal laws require more stringent training requirements, those laws apply.

Amends GS 131D-2.11(a) to direct the Division to include compliance with new GS 131D-4.5D in its inspection of adult care homes, in addition to the already required review of compliance with GS 131D-4.4A(b) and safe practices for injections and other procedures when bleeding typically occurs. These requirements are effective January 1, 2018 (was, July 1, 2012).

Section 2

Enacts new GS 131E-114.5 (Dementia care training requirements). Provides the identical requirements for nursing homes and combination homes licensed under GS Chapter 131E, Article 6, Part 1 (Nursing Home Licensure Act) as new GS 131D-4.5D does to adult care homes. Provides that GS 131E-114.5(b), enacted in subsection (a), applies to staff persons hired on or after October 1, 2017. Further, requires covered facilities to, by December 1, 2017, provide initial dementia care training that meets the requirements of GS 131E-114.5(c), enacted by this act, to staff persons hired before October 1, 2017, who are unable to demonstrate proof of having completed, within the 24-month period preceding October 1, 2017, training equivalent to the initial dementia care training described in GS 131E-114.5(c), as enacted by this act.

Amends GS 131E-105(a) to direct the Department to include compliance with GS 131E-114.5 as part of its inspections of nursing homes beginning January 1, 2018.

Section 3 provides this act is effective October 1, 2017.