Lawmakers in both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly have introduced companion measures to require dementia-specific training for nurse aides statewide.
House Bill 474, introduced on September 29, 2025, by Representatives Rachel Baker (D-Cincinnati) and Kellie Deeter (R-West Chester), and Senate Bill 314, sponsored by Beth Liston (D-Dublin) and Hearcel F. Craig (D-Columbus), would enact the Ohio Dementia Care Training Act for Nurse Aides. The legislation mandates at least two hours of dementia-care education for nurse aides as part of their competency evaluation, and requires training programs to receive approval from the Ohio Department of Health.
The LeadingAge Ohio policy team has engaged with Representatives Baker and Deeter, and discussed how certain provisions of the bill align with existing statutory training obligations for cognitive-care education. Under current Ohio law, each nursing home or residential care facility must provide in-service education that “shall include training for nurse aides providing nursing and nursing-related services to residents and patients with cognitive impairments.” Legislators plan to hold interested-party discussions as the legislation advances, with a shared goal of aligning any changes to statute with current training requirements and achieving common ground on intent, implementation and provider impact.
For more information, contact Eli Faes at efaes@leadingageohio.org.