Bill > H797

This bill requires medical directors in skilled nursing facilities to obtain certification from the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine or an equivalent organization, with specific implementation timelines and requirements. Existing medical directors will have until January 1, 2030 to become certified, while new medical directors must be certified within 5 years of initial hire. Skilled nursing facilities must submit detailed information about their medical directors to the Department of Public Health, including criminal background checks, resumes, and certification proof, with an initial submission deadline of June 30, 2027. The bill mandates that medical directors are responsible for implementing resident care policies, coordinating medical care, and reporting potential harmful issues to the department. Medical directors must also provide reports to resident and family councils at least twice a year, or annually to the department if no council exists. Violations of the certification requirements can result in fines of at least $500 per day, and each day of misrepresentation constitutes a separate violation. The legislation aims to ensure higher quality medical oversight and patient care in skilled nursing facilities by establishing professional standards and accountability for medical directors.