Senate Substitute Bill No. 1111, identified as File No. 560, is a legislative proposal to establish a working group tasked with studying the issue of excess licensed bed capacity at skilled nursing facilities. The bill mandates the Commissioner of Social Services to appoint and convene an eight-member working group to review and evaluate the incidence and implications of excess licensed bed capacity and any unused space in skilled nursing facilities. The review will include a survey of excess licensed bed capacity, an evaluation of Medicaid payment policies related to bed capacity, an assessment of staffing shortages as an impediment to admissions and occupancy, and consideration of the physical plant conditions of existing facilities.

The working group will consist of representatives from the Department of Social Services, the Department of Public Health, organizations representing long-term care facilities, and organizations representing nonprofit long-term care facilities. The group is required to submit an interim report by December 31, 2023, and a final report by June 30, 2024, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly with oversight of human services. The bill specifies that the act will take effect upon passage and introduces a new section to the statutes. The legislative commissioners made changes for accuracy and clarity, such as specifying the number of working group members and the composition of the group. The bill has no fiscal impact as the Department of Social Services is deemed to have the necessary expertise to convene the working group.

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