HB425:

Continuing care providers; requirements for providers, complaint process, report.

Bill Summary:

Continuing care providers; requirements for providers; complaint process; report. Requires continuing care providers to include in continuing care contracts between the provider and residents of a continuing care retirement community a description of (i) the resident emergency call systems and other safety-based services, (ii) the criteria for and requirements and procedures applicable to the transfer of a resident between levels of care provided by the provider, and (iii) information about policies and procedures for use of the facility and its services, including any check-in procedures, by residents as well as nonresidents.

The bill also guarantees the right of residents to post information about residents' rights in the facilities of the continuing care retirement community and requires a continuing care provider to include on the board of directors or other such governing body of a continuing care retirement community a number of residents that is equal to or greater than 20 percent of the total number of members of the board of directors, or at least one resident, whichever is greater, who shall be elected by the residents of the continuing care retirement community, and to provide a copy of the bylaws of the board of directors or other such governing body to all residents of the continuing care retirement community.

The bill also requires the State Corporation Commission to establish a means by which any person may make a complaint regarding a continuing care retirement community or community-based continuing care provider; establish a process for responding to complaints regarding a continuing care retirement community or community-based continuing care provider, including procedures to ensure that the person who filed the complaint receives information regarding the status of such response and the final resolution of the matter; and report annually by October 1 to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committees on Appropriations and Labor and Commerce and the Senate Committees on Finance and Appropriations and Commerce and Labor regarding the complaint process and the number, type, and resolution of complaints received.