Bill > LD759

This bill requires long-term care facilities (which are defined in another section of Maine state law as residential facilities that provide ongoing medical care and assistance to residents who cannot fully care for themselves, such as nursing homes) to install side rails on a resident's bed under two specific circumstances: first, when the resident or their legal guardian explicitly requests side rails, and second, when side rails are deemed necessary for the resident's safety. The bill adds this requirement as a new section (§1834) to Title 22 of the Maine Revised Statutes Annotated (MRSA), which governs health and welfare regulations. By mandating the installation of side rails upon request or for safety purposes, the bill aims to enhance patient protection and provide additional support for residents in long-term care settings who may be at risk of falling or experiencing difficulty moving in and out of bed.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=759&snum=132