This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding health care institutions in Arizona. It amends existing language to clarify the responsibilities of the department in administering and enforcing health care regulations, including the requirement for nursing care institutions and assisted living facilities to provide vaccinations for influenza and pneumonia on-site annually. The bill also specifies that the department's access to personnel records is limited to essential information about employees and volunteers, ensuring privacy while maintaining necessary oversight.

Additionally, the bill introduces new provisions regarding the timeline for issuing statements of deficiencies and initiating complaint investigations related to nursing care institutions. It establishes a twelve-month limit for initiating investigations unless they involve criminal abuse or neglect, and it mandates that investigations align with federal time frames based on complaint severity. Furthermore, it ensures that quality assurance documents remain confidential and are not included in a patient's medical record, thereby enhancing the regulatory framework while protecting sensitive information.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 36-406, 36-447.03, 36-2402, 36-411, 13-3620, 46-454