This bill amends the licensing requirements for residential care and health facilities, introducing several key changes aimed at enhancing the quality of care provided to residents. Notably, it mandates that licensed residential care facilities shall maintain a quality assurance program, a shift from the previous optional requirement. Additionally, the bill requires that the results of any investigations into complaints, as well as Life Safety inspection results, be posted in a conspicuous location within the facility. The bill also expands the scope of facilities subject to investigation by including those providing services beyond room and board to multiple unrelated individuals, and it stipulates that investigation results must be documented and made visible to the public. Further changes include the removal of redundant references to administrative fines and the replacement of the term "hospital" with "facility" in various contexts, reflecting a broader application of the regulations. The bill also updates training requirements, replacing "ongoing training" with "continuing education" for annual training, and specifies that at least 6 hours of initial education and 4 hours of continuing education on dementia care are required for staff. The effective dates for the various sections of the bill are staggered, with some provisions taking effect 60 days after passage and others on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 151:5-c, 151:6, 151:6-a, 151:16-b, 151:21, 151:50