Committee unanimously backs HB 291 to certify community health workers, add background checks

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved House Bill 291 on Wednesday, which establishes a certification framework and standards for community health workers and requires background checks as part of the certification process.

Sponsor remarks: The bill provides a definition of who is eligible to be a community health worker, establishes a certification process, and aligns the program with the Department of Public Health's strategy to increase the skilled public-health workforce in underserved areas. Chair Taylor told the committee the program will include fingerprint and FBI background checks, which were added after consultations with the Department of Community Health.

The committee passed the bill by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Ending: The committee carried HB 291 unanimously and identified potential carriers for the next stage of the legislative process.