Bill Text: AZ HB2426 | 2017 | Fifty-third Legislature 1st Regular | Engrossed
Bill Title: Community health workers; voluntary certification.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 15-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-03-01 - Senate read second time [HB2426 Detail]
Download: Arizona-2017-HB2426-Engrossed.html
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House Engrossed |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-third Legislature First Regular Session 2017
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HOUSE BILL 2426 |
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AN ACT
Amending title 36, chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding article 10; relating to public health.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 36, chapter 6, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 10, to read:
ARTICLE 10. COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS
36-795. Definitions
In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. "Applicant" means an individual who is applying to be certified or recertified as a community health worker.
2. "Board" means the community health workers advisory board.
3. "Certificate" means the document issued by the department to a qualified applicant for certification as a community health worker.
4. "Certification" means the voluntary process by which the department grants recognition and use of a credential to an individual who has met predetermined and standardized requirements as a community health worker.
5. "Certified community health worker" means a community health worker to whom the department has issued a certificate to practice as a certified community health worker in this state.
6. "Community health worker" means a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of the community the worker serves or has an in‑depth understanding of the community the worker serves, who serves as a liaison between health service providers or social service providers and community members to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery and who builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.
7. "Department" means the department of health services.
8. "Director" means the director of the department.
9. "Practice as a certified community health worker" means a community health worker's application of the education, training and experience in the core competencies to effectively provide services to the communities and populations that the community health worker serves through one or more of the roles of the community health worker.
10. "Recertification" means a renewal of certification.
36-795.01. Practice of community health workers; scope
For the purposes of this article, the practice of community health workers includes:
1. Providing cultural mediation among individuals, communities and health and social service systems.
2. Providing culturally appropriate health education and information.
3. Providing care coordination, case management and system navigation.
4. Providing coaching and social support.
5. Advocating for individuals and communities.
6. Building individual and community capacity.
7. Providing direct services that are consistent with the education and training required for certification of a community health worker.
8. Implementing individual environmental analyses and community needs assessments.
9. Conducting outreach.
10. Participating in evaluation and research.
36-795.02. Community health workers advisory board
A. The community health workers advisory board is established within the department consisting of nine members, the majority of whom are community health workers, who are residents of this state, who are appointed by the director and who serve at the pleasure of the director.
B. the board shall make recommendations to the department regarding:
1. Standards and requirements for the establishment and board evaluation of community health worker education and training programs in this state.
2. Standards and requirements for approval or acceptance of continuing education courses and programs as the board may require for the biennial renewal of a community health worker certificate.
3. Minimum education, training, experience and other qualifications that certified community health workers must possess to qualify as a trainer in any education, training or continuing education program for community health workers approved or accepted by the board.
4. The core competencies of community health workers, including skills and areas of knowledge that are essential to bring about expanded health and wellness in diverse communities and to reduce health disparities.
5. The type of certification examination or other means to assess community health worker competency in connection with certification that the department requires if the department determines that a certification examination would enhance the advancement of the practice and profession of community health workers.
6. Standards for unprofessional conduct.
7. Any other matter as requested by the director.
36-795.03. Voluntary certification; rules
A. The department shall adopt rules relating to the following:
1. The establishment and administration of a voluntary process for the certification of community health workers that includes criteria for:
(a) Minimum education, training and experience for an individual to successfully complete to be eligible to apply for certification as a community health worker.
(b) Attestation requirements of an applicant relating to good moral character.
(c) Other qualifications that the department determines appropriate.
2. Procedures for the application, receipt, review and action on applications for initial community health worker certification and for biennial recertification.
3. Standards for continuing education and other requirements that the department determines appropriate for biennial recertification.
4. Standards for unprofessional conduct.
5. Certification fees and recertification fees.
B. The department may adopt rules relating to:
1. Board operations.
2. Criminal background screening.
3. Any other matter that the department determines appropriate for the certification and regulation of community health workers.
36-795.04. Certificate denial; revocation; rules
A. The department shall adopt rules regarding procedures for the denial of an application for certification or recertification and for the revocation of a certification.
B. The department shall consider whether the applicant:
1. Has had an application for a certificate related to the practice of community health workers denied or rejected by any state or jurisdiction and if so, all of the following:
(a) The reason for the denial or rejection.
(b) The date of the denial or rejection.
(c) The name and address of the state department or jurisdiction that denied or rejected the application.
2. Has had a certificate related to the practice of community health workers restricted, suspended or revoked by any state or jurisdiction and if so, all of the following:
(a) The reason for the restriction, suspension or revocation.
(b) the date of the restriction, suspension or revocation.
(c) The name and address of the state department or jurisdiction that restricted, suspended or revoked the certificate.
3. Has pleaded guilty to, been convicted of or entered a plea of no contest to a misdemeanor related to the applicant's employment as a community health worker or a felony and if so, all of the following:
(a) The felony or misdemeanor charged.
(b) The date of the conviction or plea.
(c) The court having jurisdiction over the felony or misdemeanor.
C. The department may deny or revoke a certificate issued under this article if a community health worker has either:
1. Secured a certificate under this article through fraud or deceit.
2. Engaged in unprofessional conduct or incompetence in the conduct of the community health worker's practice.
36-795.05. Community health workers certification fund
A. The community health workers certification fund is established. The department shall administer the fund. the department shall deposit, Pursuant to sections 35‑146 and 35‑147, ten percent of all monies collected pursuant to this article in the state general fund and the remaining ninety percent in the community health workers certification fund. Monies in the fund shall be used only to cover the costs of administering community health worker certification and the operation of the community health workers advisory board established by this article.
B. Monies deposited in the fund are subject to section 35‑143.01.
