Bill > S0787

This bill strengthens the role of independent family councils in nursing facilities and improves transparency in nursing home admissions. The legislation requires nursing facilities to provide more support and information to family councils, including sharing contact information of residents' representatives with the council (with consent), informing residents and families about the council's existence, and mandating that facilities respond in writing to council recommendations within five business days. Additionally, the bill establishes new rules for nursing home waiting lists, particularly for facilities with more than 30% self-pay residents. These facilities must now admit applicants on a first-come-first-served basis for non-private rooms, provide applicants with a receipt when placed on a waiting list, maintain a transparent waiting list accessible to applicants and state agencies, and prohibit discrimination against applicants based on their payment source (such as Medicaid). The bill also creates mechanisms for investigating complaints about waiting list practices and allows the Department of Health to impose financial penalties on facilities that violate these new requirements. Nursing homes are still allowed some exceptions, such as not being required to admit an indigent person if the available room is private or if the facility has a low percentage of self-pay residents.

Health and Social Services

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