HB646:

Nursing homes; standards of care and staff requirements, regulations.

Bill Summary:

Nursing home standards of care and staff requirements;
regulations. Requires the State Board of Health to establish
staffing and care standards in nursing homes to require a minimum
of direct care services to each resident per 24-hour period as follows:
(i) a minimum of 2.8 direct care hours provided by a nurse aide per
resident, per day; (ii) a minimum of 1.3 direct care hours provided
by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse per resident, per
day; and (iii) a minimum of 0.75 hours out of total 4.1 required
direct hours provided by a registered nurse per resident, per day.
The bill requires nursing homes to provide quarterly staff training
on first aid, medication administration, and compliance with nursing
home policies and procedures. Additionally, the bill removes language
requiring that each hospital, nursing home, and certified nursing
facility establish protocols for patient visits from a rabbi, priest,
minister, or clergy of any religious denomination or sect during
a declared public health emergency related to a communicable disease
of public health threat.