Bill > S492

This bill strengthens protections for nursing home residents by requiring the state department to create regulations that promote residents' dignity, equivalent to protections already in place for residents of mental health and developmental disability facilities. The bill mandates that every nursing home establish a Human Rights Committee with the power to receive and investigate complaints affecting residents' rights. Additionally, the department must provide annual training for committee members and designate at least two Human Rights Officers per region who will be trained in enforcing and resolving violations of nursing home residents' rights. The bill also explicitly extends the rights guaranteed to Medicare and Medicaid residents under the 1987 Omnibus Budget Reform Act to all nursing home residents, regardless of their insurance status. These provisions aim to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities in nursing homes are treated with respect, have a formal mechanism to address grievances, and are guaranteed a comprehensive set of fundamental rights, with full implementation expected by July 1, 2027.