AARP Florida: More Work is Needed to Improve Senate Bill 1132

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 17, 2021

CONTACT: Jamie Champion Mongiovi, AARP Florida
(850) 559-7003, jchampion@aarp.org 

Tallahassee, Fla. – AARP Florida State Director Jeff Johnson issued the following statement today regarding Senate Bill 1132 “Personal Care Attendants,” which is sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach).

“AARP Florida is encouraged by Sen. Bean’s remarks today to members of the Senate Health Policy Committee regarding his intention to continue listening to stakeholders and working together to address AARP’s concerns with SB 1132.

“It’s clear that the amendment adopted today doubles the training received by Personal Care Attendants (PCAs), from 8 hours to 16 total hours. Let’s not stop there. Further amendments are needed to ensure that Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), who receive a higher level of training, are not supplanted by PCAs. 

“We understand and appreciate committee members who accurately raised the same concerns with SB 1132. AARP continues to believe that PCAs do not have sufficient training to replace or substitute for the level of care provided by CNAs. We will continue to oppose SB 1132 unless changes are made that would ensure that PCAs’ time is not counted in place of CNAs toward the minimum staffing requirement or ratio in Florida’s nursing homes.

“AARP has provided amendment language that would fix the remaining issues in SB 1132. We agree with Sen. Bean that this is a ‘work in progress,’ and we are committed to continuing to collaborate with the senator and legislative staff to hopefully position this bill to be supported by AARP.”

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 AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With nearly 38 million members and offices in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AARP works to strengthen communities and advocate for what matters most to families with a focus on health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.