Introduced Version
House Concurrent Resolution 115 History
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HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 115
(By Delegates Perdue, Eldridge, Lawrence, Marshall, Perry,
Poling, Rodigherio, Spencer, Staggers, Susman, Border, C.Miller,
J. Miller and Rowan)
[Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources;
Reported March 10, 2010.]
Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct
a study on establishing a program to permit unlicensed
personnel to administer medications in homes and other
community locations.
W
HEREAS
, People with disabilities have the right to live, work,
and play in their own homes and communities; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 406,000 people in West Virginia have a
disability with many having difficulty in performing self-care
activities and the ability to self-administer their own medication;
and
WHEREAS, Professional licensed nurses currently administer
medications to these individuals, often taking up much of their
needed time and expertise; and
W
HEREAS
, More care and attention could be provided to
individuals with disabilities by nurses should medicine be
administered by unlicensed personnel in additional settings; and
W
HEREAS
, It is becoming more difficult to recruit and retain adequate nursing in these settings; and
W
HEREAS
, Should a resident be physically unable to place a dose
of medication in his/her own mouth without spilling or dropping it,
an unlicensed person (at the direction of the individual receiving
services) may place the dose in another container and place that
container in the mouth of the individual; and
WHEREAS, Any individual who is employed to provide community
based services at the direction of the individual receiving
services or their legally responsible representative, may
administer medication; and
WH
EREAS
, The provision of medication administration by
unlicensed personnel in additional settings could provide
flexibility and promote community living to individuals with
disabilities; and
W
HEREAS
, The program shall be developed and conducted by the
Legislature in cooperation with the appropriate agencies, advisory
bodies and boards in determining recommendations and legislation
effectuating this policy; therefore be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby
requested to study developing a program to permit unlicensed
personnel to administer drugs to individuals with disabilities in
homes and other settings in the community if determined
appropriate; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and
Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2010, on
its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts
of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations;
and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this
study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be
paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on
Government and Finance.