Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Home care providers could see more training options

Home care workers could count training in age-related hearing loss toward their annual training requirements under HF952, which was passed by the House in a 129-0 vote Thursday.

Under current law, all staff performing direct home care services must undergo annual training that can address a range of topics, including maltreatment reporting, the home care bill of rights and infection control techniques.

HF952, sponsored by Rep. Debra Kiel (R-Crookston), would have direct care providers learn about age-related hearing loss, the signs, associated risks, and technology and communication strategies that can be used to address the problems.

The bill would also require the training for staff at assisted living facilities.

“What this bill intends to do is to make sure that staff in a health facility … help [elderly people with hearing loss] to be able to communicate their wishes and desires,” Kiel said. “If we don’t help with that … many people who lose their hearing also become isolated.”

The bill now heads to the Senate, where it is sponsored by Sen. Karin Housley (R-St. Marys Point).


Related Articles


Priority Dailies

Ways and Means Committee OKs House budget resolution
(House Photography file photo) Total net General Fund expenditures in the 2026-27 biennium will not exceed a hair less than $66.62 billion. That is the budget resolution approved Tuesday by the House Ways...
Minnesota's budget outlook worsens in both near, long term
Gov. Tim Walz takes questions following the release of the state's November budget forecast in December 2024. The latest projections show a $456 million surplus in the current budget cycle and a $6 billion deficit longer-term. (House Photography file photo) It looks as if those calling for less state spending could get their wish, judging from Thursday’s release of the February 2025 Budget and Economic Forecast. A state su...