This bill establishes a long-term care facility safety council within the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) to enhance oversight of long-term care facilities in Iowa. The council will consist of various members, including state officials and public appointees, and will be responsible for determining and approving health and safety standards for these facilities. It will conduct informal conferences to review the history of violations for health care facilities and assisted living programs that have received multiple penalties, and it will make recommendations to DIAL regarding necessary actions, rule amendments, and the overall operation of long-term care facilities. The council is also tasked with submitting an annual report to the General Assembly, which will include recommendations for legislative changes aimed at better protecting residents and tenants.

Additionally, the bill mandates that DIAL notify the safety council when a license is denied, suspended, or revoked, prompting the council to hold informal conferences with the affected parties to assess their compliance history. The council's recommendations will guide DIAL's subsequent actions. The bill also shifts the responsibility for adopting and enforcing administrative rules regarding minimum standards for facilities from the council on health and human services to the safety council, ensuring that the state long-term care ombudsman is involved in the rule-making process. Furthermore, the safety council is directed to study the feasibility of creating a special focus list for long-term care facilities, with a report due to the General Assembly by February 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 135C.10A, 135C.10, 135C.11, 231.42, 10A.905