This bill amends the licensing requirements for residential care and health facilities, introducing several key changes aimed at enhancing the quality of care and transparency. Notably, it mandates that licensed residential care facilities must maintain a quality assurance program, replacing the previous voluntary requirement. Additionally, the results of investigations and inspections conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services will now be posted on their website, providing public access to information about facility compliance. The bill also removes redundant references to administrative fines and updates terminology, changing "hospital" to "facility" throughout the text. Furthermore, it modifies training requirements by replacing "ongoing training" with "continuing education" for annual training.
The bill also includes provisions for civil fines, stating that all civil monetary penalties collected will be kept in a separate, non-lapsing account for the protection of residents' health and property. It specifies that the results of inspections and investigations will not be subject to certain confidentiality provisions, ensuring that the public can access this information. The effective date for various sections of the bill is staggered, with some provisions taking effect 60 days after passage and others on July 1, 2025. Overall, these amendments aim to improve oversight and accountability in residential care facilities, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to residents.
Statutes affected: Introduced: 151:5-c, 151:6, 151:6-a, 151:16-b, 151:21, 151:50
As Amended by the Senate: 151:5-c, 151:6, 151:6-a, 151:16-b, 151:21, 151:50