Bill > H4298

This bill makes several key changes to the governance, structure, and care of veterans at the Commonwealth's veterans' homes: 1. It establishes a Veterans' Homes Council to manage and control all veterans' homes in the Commonwealth, with responsibilities such as adopting standardized rules and regulations, reviewing and providing comments on rules concerning the homes, and developing a system for reviewing charges, complaints, and comments from residents, family members, and ombudspersons. 2. It requires the Department of Public Health to conduct inspections of all state-operated veterans' homes at least twice per year and make the inspection reports and corrections of violations publicly available. 3. It creates an Office of Veterans' Homes and Housing within the Department of Veterans' Services, led by an Executive Director, to coordinate and oversee implementation and enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies related to veterans' homes and housing. 4. It requires each state-operated veterans' home to have a Superintendent who is a licensed nursing home administrator and a veteran or has experience managing veterans in a long-term care facility, and an Ombudsperson to advocate for residents and staff. 5. It mandates that all state-operated veterans' homes apply for and maintain certification by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs, and adhere to trauma-informed care guidelines. 6. It establishes an independent Office of the Veteran Advocate to ensure veterans in the care of the Commonwealth receive humane and dignified treatment, timely and effective services, and all available state and federal benefits.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs (J)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4298