Bill > H768

This bill establishes new requirements for medical directors at skilled nursing facilities, mandating that these facilities only contract with medical directors who are certified by the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine or an equivalent organization. Specifically, the bill requires that any new medical director must be a certified medical director within 5 years of their initial hire, while existing medical directors employed as of January 1, 2025, will have until January 1, 2030, to obtain certification. Skilled nursing facilities must submit detailed information about their medical directors to the Department of Public Health, including criminal history, resume, and certification status, upon initial licensure and within 10 days of any changes. The bill also imposes penalties for individuals who falsely represent themselves as certified medical directors, with potential fines up to $500 and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months. By January 1, 2033, the Department of Public Health must submit a report to the legislature with recommendations for permanent requirements regarding certified medical directors. Interestingly, the bill includes a provision for self-repeal, with Sections 1-4 being automatically repealed, and Section 6 taking effect on January 1, 2035, which suggests the legislation is intended as a temporary measure to assess and potentially establish long-term standards for medical directors in skilled nursing facilities.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H768