Substitute House Bill No. 6987 aims to improve the procedures for closing and evacuating residential care homes and nursing homes. Key provisions include a requirement for these facilities to assist residents in finding new placements that consider their proximity to family and support networks, as indicated by the new insertions in sections 1 and 2. The bill also establishes a working group led by the Commissioner of Social Services, in collaboration with the Commissioner of Public Health and the State Ombudsman, to evaluate evacuation procedures and explore the implementation of a mutual aid digital platform for healthcare organizations. This group is expected to report its findings by January 1, 2026.

Additionally, the bill introduces new insurance requirements for nursing homes and residential care homes to cover personal property loss or damage due to closures or evacuations, effective October 1, 2025. It creates a real-time database for tracking bed availability in these facilities, which will be accessible to relevant entities. The bill modifies existing regulations regarding admissions from closing facilities, allowing expedited transfers under certain conditions, while repealing outdated provisions. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance the safety and well-being of residents during transitions and emergencies in care facilities, without imposing significant fiscal impacts on the state, aside from costs related to the development of the bed availability database.