Home health aides: training and certification.

Assembly Member Valencia's home health aide training legislation establishes new standards for instructor qualifications and online certification programs while modifying renewal requirements for California's home health aide workforce. The bill requires trainers to be registered nurses with two years of experience, including one year in home health care, or licensed vocational nurses under qualified RN supervision.

For online and distance learning certification programs, the legislation mandates real-time interactive instruction between trainees and approved instructors using collaborative software platforms. Programs must implement identity verification protocols, including signed affidavits from trainees, protect personal information, maintain instructor availability outside class hours, and establish procedures for technical difficulties and missed coursework. The Department of Public Health receives authority to monitor online sessions and collect program performance data.

The bill revises certificate renewal procedures by requiring home health aides to complete 12 hours of in-service training annually. Certificates expire on the holder's birthday and may be renewed within four years of expiration, provided applicants meet criminal background check requirements. The department must notify certificate holders 90 days before renewal and expiration deadlines, though failure to receive notice does not exempt holders from timely renewal obligations.