Bill > H2216

This bill amends existing law to provide more oversight and transparency regarding the administration of psychotropic medications in nursing homes. The bill first defines "psychotropic" as any drug that affects brain activities associated with mental processes and behavior, specifically including antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, depressants, and potentially anticonvulsants. It establishes new requirements for nursing homes, including mandatory reporting of antipsychotic medication use through the Nursing Home Antipsychotic Medication Measures report required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Failure to submit these reports can result in monetary penalties, and repeated failures might lead to suspension of new admissions. Additionally, these reports must be prominently posted on both the department and nursing home websites to ensure public transparency. The bill also mandates that for any resident receiving a psychotropic medication, the care plan must include detailed information such as the prescriber's name and license number, the date of evaluation, reasons for prescribing, and written confirmation of informed consent from the resident or their guardian, with this declaration made under penalties of perjury.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2216