S. 1709 IS – Strengthening Workforce Development Act

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S. 1709 IS – Strengthening Workforce Development Act

This bill has been read one time on the House floor.

Introduced in House (Senate did not report similar legislation)
Pursuant to rule III of Rules of the House, 1 additional co-sponsor was added to the bill for a total of 2 additional co-sponsors brought on board than from the original filing of this bill.

Direct Links

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Text of S. 1709 IS – Strengthening Workforce Development Act

This summary is based on the latest available information and has been provided by the Congressional Research Service.

Section 1. Short title

This title may be cited as the “Strengthening Workforce Development Act of 2020.”

Sec. 2. Findings regarding shortages in certain professions

(a) The following findings are made with respect to the shortage of direct care registered nurses and other healthcare professionals:

(1) There is a significant shortage of direct care registered nurses, particularly in rural areas; and
(2) this shortage has a disproportionate impact on certain patient populations.

Sec. 3. Definitions

(a) In general.—In this Act, the term “direct care registered nurse” means a registered nurse who is employed in an acute care hospital or other healthcare facility to provide direct patient care; and

(1) provides hands-on patient care;
(2) uses advanced nursing skills, such as monitoring patients’ health status;
(3) performs administrative tasks related to the delivery of patient care; or
(4) coordinates with other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care.

Sec. 4. Increased support for direct care registered nurses in acute care hospitals

(a) In general.—In order to address the shortage of direct care registered nurses, each hospital shall—

(1) increase the number of direct care registered nurses employed in the hospital by not less than 10 percent during the first year after the date of enactment of this Act;
(2) maintain a minimum ratio of 4:1 between the number of beds and the number of direct care registered nurses for each bed unit; and
(3) implement measures to prevent attrition of direct care registered nurses, including but not limited to, providing incentives for retention, improving working conditions, and enhancing opportunities for professional development.

Sec. 5. Support for direct care registered nurses in long-term care facilities

(a) In general.—In order to address the shortage of direct care registered nurses in long-term care facilities, each facility shall—

(1) increase the number of direct care registered nurses employed in the facility by not less than 10 percent during the first year after the date of enactment of this Act;
(2) maintain a minimum ratio of 8:1 between the number of residents and the number of direct care registered nurses for each resident bed unit; and
(3) implement measures to prevent attrition of direct care registered nurses, including but not limited to, providing incentives for retention, improving working conditions, and enhancing opportunities for professional development.

Sec. 6. Support for indirect patient care personnel in acute care hospitals

(a) In general.—In order to address the shortage of indirect patient care personnel, each hospital shall—

(1) increase the number of indirect patient care personnel employed in the hospital by not less than 10 percent during the first year after the date of enactment of this Act;
(2) maintain a minimum ratio of 5:1 between the number of beds and the number of indirect patient care personnel for each bed unit; and
(3) implement measures to prevent attrition of indirect patient care personnel, including but not limited to, providing incentives for retention, improving working conditions, and enhancing opportunities for professional development.

Sec. 7. Support for indirect patient care personnel in long-term care facilities

(a) In general.—In order to address the shortage of indirect patient care personnel, each facility shall—

(1) increase the number of indirect patient care personnel employed in the facility by not less than 10 percent during the first year after the date of enactment of this Act;
(2) maintain a minimum ratio of 8:1 between the number of residents and the number of indirect patient care personnel for each resident bed unit; and
(3) implement measures to prevent attrition of indirect patient care personnel, including but not limited to, providing incentives for retention, improving working conditions, and enhancing opportunities for professional development.

Sec. 8. Funding

(a) In general.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2022 and such amounts as may be necessary for subsequent fiscal years.

(b) Distribution of funds.—The Secretary shall distribute the amounts made available under subsection (a) in accordance with section 1110(a) of title 10, United States Code, to carry out section 3(b), 4(b), and 5(b) of this Act.

Sec. 9. Study on workforce development

(a) In general.—The Secretary shall conduct a study on the effectiveness of the provisions of this Act in addressing the shortage of direct care registered nurses and other healthcare professionals, including an examination of the impact of such provisions on patient outcomes and healthcare quality.

(b) Study requirements.—The study required under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) a review of the current workforce development strategies used by hospitals and other healthcare facilities; and
(2) an analysis of the impact of these strategies on the supply and demand for direct care registered nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Sec. 10. Review of programs under Public Health Service Act

(a) In general.—The Secretary shall review the programs under section 801 et seq. of the Public Health Service Act to determine whether such programs are meeting their intended purpose.

(b) Review requirements.—The review required under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) an evaluation of the effectiveness of each program; and
(2) a determination of whether any program is not meeting its intended purpose.

Sec. 11. Report on workforce development

(a) In general.—Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the workforce development needs and strategies in each State.

(b) Report requirements.—The report required under subsection (a) shall include—

(1) an assessment of the current workforce development plans in each State; and
(2) recommendations for future workforce development strategies in each State.

Sec. 12. Sense of Congress

(a) Findings regarding national health care reform.—Congress finds that—

(1) the current healthcare system is unsustainable and does not provide adequate access to healthcare for all Americans; and
(2) a comprehensive approach to healthcare reform, including strengthening workforce development, would be more effective in improving healthcare outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

(b) Sense of Congress.—It is the sense of Congress that—

(1) the Secretary should prioritize the strengthening of workforce development to address the shortage of direct care registered nurses and other healthcare professionals; and
(2) the strengthening of workforce development, including increasing funding for programs under section 801 et seq. of the Public Health Service Act, would be a more effective approach to improving healthcare outcomes and reducing healthcare costs than other approaches.

Sec. 13. Effect on certain programs

(a) In general.—The provisions of this Act shall not affect the authority under section 801 et seq. of the Public Health Service Act to provide funding for programs related to workforce development.

(b) Funding adjustments.—The Secretary may, in consultation with Congress, make adjustments to the amount of funding provided under section 801 et seq. of the Public Health Service Act for programs that are affected by the provisions of this Act.