This bill aims to enhance the rights and protections of residents in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Minnesota. It introduces significant modifications, including new consent requirements for electronic monitoring, allowing residents or their representatives to provide written consent that can be withdrawn at any time. The bill establishes a clear right for residents to be free from retaliation, detailing specific retaliatory actions and enabling residents or their legal representatives to take action against nursing homes for such behavior. Additionally, it mandates annual training for nursing home employees on preventing retaliation and expands the membership of the home care and assisted living program advisory council from 13 to 15 members, enhancing its role in advising on regulations and improving care quality.

Further amendments include the prohibition of binding arbitration agreements in assisted living contracts, ensuring residents are not coerced into signing such agreements. The bill also clarifies regulations surrounding hospice care, granting patients the right to effective pain management and the ability to revoke hospice election at any time. It introduces a definition for "registered nurse," mandates oversight of medication management by qualified staff, and reinforces protections against retaliation for residents. Lastly, it clarifies that health care agents cannot unjustly restrict a principal's communication and interaction with others, thereby reinforcing the principal's rights to social engagement.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 144.6502, 144.6512, 144A.04, 144A.474, 144A.4799, 144A.751, 144G.08, 144G.31, 144G.51, 144G.71, 144G.92, 145C.07, 145C.10