Committee passes bill allowing PRN/seasonal hires at ODVA veterans homes despite concerns about benefits

Senator Stanley presented House Bill 3043 as an ODVA request to authorize the agency to hire PRN (as-needed) or seasonal staff with defined exceptions to stabilize staffing at the state's seven veterans homes. He said the change reflects health-care staffing best practices and would provide flexibility for peak periods such as holidays.

Senator Kurt pressed concerns about the employment and benefit implications, noting the committee was told seasonal/temp staff are currently allowed up to 999 hours a year and that the proposal would "almost double that" and could permit up to 32 hours per week if someone worked year-round. Senator Kurt said she worried about increasing a workforce of employees who are not eligible for state benefits and said she could not support the bill as written. Senator Hines asked whether the agency expected to recruit people for the hours proposed; Senator Stanley said the agency believes it can, and cited Sallisaw as an example recruitment location.

After debate the committee voted; the presiding officer announced the result as 5 ayes and 2 nays and declared House Bill 3043 passed.