Bill > LD979

This bill authorizes the final adoption of Chapter 113: Assisted Housing Programs Licensing Rule by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with specific modifications. The bill requires residential care facilities to submit quarterly data to the DHHS, including daily staff numbers, temporary staff information, staff turnover rates, and resident census. Facilities must begin reporting within 60 days of a developed reporting system, and DHHS will provide an annual public report starting January 2, 2027. The bill removes proposed future staffing ratio requirements for direct residential care and memory care units, maintaining current staffing levels. Additionally, the bill establishes a stakeholder group led by the long-term care ombudsman to examine residential care facility staffing issues. This diverse group, comprising representatives from various healthcare, advocacy, and administrative organizations, will investigate appropriate staffing levels, ratios, and their impact on care quality. The stakeholder group is required to meet by September 30, 2025, and submit a preliminary report by January 30, 2026, with a final report due January 2, 2027. The committee is authorized to propose legislation based on the group's findings, aiming to address ongoing challenges in residential care facility staffing.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.maine.gov/legis/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=979&snum=132