(a) The Legislature finds that the quality of services provided to residents of residential care facilities for the elderly is dependent upon the training and skills of staff. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to ensure that direct-care staff have the knowledge and proficiency to carry out the tasks of their jobs.

(b) (1) The department shall adopt regulations to require staff members of residential care facilities for the elderly who assist residents with personal activities of daily living to receive appropriate training. This training shall consist of 40 hours of training. A staff member shall complete 20 hours, including six hours specific to dementia care, as required by subdivision (a) of Section 1569.626 and four hours specific to postural supports, restricted health conditions, and hospice care, as required by subdivision (a) of Section 1569.696, before working independently with residents. The remaining 20 hours shall include six hours specific to dementia care and shall be completed within the first four weeks of employment. The training coursework may utilize various methods of instruction, including, but not limited to, lectures, instructional videos, and interactive online courses. The additional 16 hours shall be hands-on training.

(2) In addition to paragraph (1), training requirements shall also include an additional 20 hours annually, eight hours of which shall be dementia care training, as required by subdivision (a) of Section 1569.626, and four hours of which shall be specific to postural supports, restricted health conditions, and hospice care, as required by subdivision (a) of Section 1569.696. This training shall be administered on the job, or in a classroom setting, or both, and may include online training.

(3) The department shall establish, in consultation with provider organizations, the subject matter required for the training required by this section.

(c) The training shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) Physical limitations and needs of the elderly.

(2) Importance and techniques for personal care services.

(3) Residents’ rights.

(4) Policies and procedures regarding medications.

(5) Psychosocial needs of the elderly.

(6) Building and fire safety and the appropriate response to emergencies.

(7) Dementia care, including the use and misuse of antipsychotics, the interaction of drugs commonly used by the elderly, and the adverse effects of psychotropic drugs for use in controlling the behavior of persons with dementia.

(8) The special needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, including nonpharmacologic, person-centered approaches to dementia care.

(9) Cultural competency and sensitivity in issues relating to the underserved, aging, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

(d) This section shall not apply to certified nurse assistants, certified pursuant to Article 9 (commencing with Section 1337) of Chapter 2, licensed vocational nurses, licensed pursuant to Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 2840) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, and registered nurses, licensed pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 2700) of Division 2 of the Business and Professions Code, except both of the following shall apply:

(1) A licensed or certified health professional with valid certification shall receive eight hours of training on resident characteristics, resident records, and facility practices and procedures prior to providing direct care to residents.

(2) In addition to paragraph (1), a certified nurse assistant shall also receive the 12 hours of dementia care training specified in Section 1569.626 and the annual training specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b).

(e) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2016.

(Repealed (in Sec. 2.5) and added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 701, Sec. 2.7. (AB 2044) Effective January 1, 2015. Section operative January 1, 2016, by its own provisions.)