Senate Bill No. 190, introduced by Senator Mizell, aims to enhance oversight and accountability for nursing facilities in Louisiana that are identified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as candidates for the Special Focus Facility Program due to persistent poor performance. The bill enacts R.S. 40:2009.10.2, which mandates that these facilities must comply with additional state requirements, including enhanced monitoring, quarterly unannounced inspections, and the development of a directed plan of correction. Furthermore, nursing facilities must notify both prospective and current residents of their candidacy for the program and provide options for safe transfers to other facilities if necessary.

The legislation also stipulates that if a nursing facility selected for the program fails to meet the required standards within 18 months, the Louisiana Department of Health is authorized to revoke the facility's license. Additionally, the bill prohibits any nursing facility from entering the Special Focus Facility Program more than once. If a facility continues to perform poorly after graduating from the program, the Department of Health is required to take protective actions for residents, which may include revoking the owner's license and securing a new operator or closing the facility altogether. The bill is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.