HB2764 is a bill that aims to improve the standards and oversight of memory care services in assisted living facilities, as well as enhance the protection of vulnerable adults in Arizona. The bill mandates the creation of training standards for memory care services, increases civil penalties for health care institution violations, and requires checks against the Adult Protective Services registry for employees. It also allows the Department of Health Services to deny license applications or ownership changes if patient safety is at risk and modifies the composition of the Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers. Additionally, the bill establishes the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee to develop a coordinated system for protecting vulnerable adults, with a final report due by October 1, 2025.

The proposed legislation includes several key changes, such as the ability for the Department of Health Services to monitor non-compliant health care institutions and provide in-service training, the introduction of specific training requirements for staff in memory care services, and the authorization for enforcement actions against licensees even if the institution is being sold or has closed. It also raises the maximum civil penalty for violations and revises board member qualifications for the board overseeing nursing care institutions and assisted living facilities. The Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee will also recommend best practices for complaints and investigations and identify common outcomes for vulnerable adult services. The bill requires the Department of Health Services to adopt rules to implement the act by June 30, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-405, 36-405.03, 36-424, 36-425, 36-431.01, 36-431.03, 36-446.02, 35-146, 35-147, 36-414, 36-427, 36-446.07, 12-2235, 36-422, 36-409, 36-431.02
House Engrossed Version: 36-405, 36-405.03, 36-424, 36-425, 36-431.01, 36-431.03, 36-446.02, 35-146, 35-147, 36-414, 36-427, 36-446.07, 12-2235, 36-422, 36-409, 36-431.02
Senate Engrossed Version: 36-405, 36-405.03, 36-411, 36-420.05, 36-425, 36-431.01, 36-446.02, 46-452, 46-454, 35-146, 35-147, 36-414, 46-459, 41-1758.07, 41-619.55, 36-151, 36-424, 36-427, 12-2235, 36-422, 36-409, 36-431.02, 36-401, 38-611, 13-3602, 12-1809
Chaptered Version: 36-405, 36-405.03, 36-411, 36-420.05, 36-425, 36-431.01, 36-446.02, 46-452, 46-454, 35-146, 35-147, 36-414, 46-459, 41-1758.07, 41-619.55, 36-151, 36-424, 36-427, 12-2235, 36-422, 36-409, 36-431.02, 36-401, 38-611, 13-3602, 12-1809