Senate Bill No. 405, known as the "Nursing Home Choice Act," aims to enhance the quality of care in nursing facilities by establishing specific requirements for homes that receive a one-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The bill mandates that residents or potential residents of such facilities receive individual counseling from the office of aging and adult services, which will inform them of their options, including immediate access to community-based services or transfer to a higher-rated nursing home. Additionally, the bill requires that potential residents and placing entities be notified of the one-star rating prior to placement.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that nursing homes with a one-star rating must submit a remediation plan to the Louisiana Department of Health within 30 days, detailing measurable targets for improvement. If the nursing home fails to enhance its rating within two years, the Department may impose sanctions, including the possibility of placing the facility on a closure track. The provisions of this act will apply to any nursing home rated one-star as of October 1, 2026, and will remain in effect until the rating improves to two stars or higher. The act is set to take effect on August 1, 2026.