2020 -- H 7836

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LC002971

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2020

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS

     Introduced By: Representatives Casey, Bennett, and Slater

     Date Introduced: February 26, 2020

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 23-17.5 of the General Laws entitled "Rights of Nursing Home

Patients" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

     23-17.5-32. Staffing levels.

     (a) The director of the department of health shall promulgate regulations establishing

minimum staffing levels for nursing facilities. These regulations shall establish ratios for various

disciplines. The regulations shall establish staff to patient ratios for registered nurses, licensed

practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants as are required to meet residents' needs.

     (b) The regulations shall be established assuming a standard three (3) shifts per day. The

department shall require "specialty" units such as Alzheimer's units, sub-acute units, and other

specialty units to be determined by the director, to establish and maintain ratios that exceed the

standard established ratios.

     (c) The purpose of these staffing ratios shall be to ensure levels of care adequate to

provide safety, quality care, and the full provision of all rights afforded resident patients under

Rhode Island law. The ratios for certified nurse assistants (CNAs), registered nurses (RNs), and

licensed practical nurses (LPNs) shall provide that residents receive a minimum of four (4) hours

direct care per day consisting of seventy-five hundredths (0.75) RN hours, fifty-five hundredths

(0.55) LPN hours, and two and eight-tenths (2.8) CNA hours. The ratios shall be established and

implemented no later than October 1, 2020, with compliance achieved by January 1, 2021.

     (d) The director of the department of health shall establish these ratios by obtaining and

considering input from all interested state departments and agencies and all affected parties and

disciplines including, but not limited to, providers/operators/administrators, and advocates for

residents and nursing home employee organizations, including both union and professional

organizations.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY - RIGHTS OF NURSING HOME PATIENTS

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     This act would establish minimum staffing levels for nursing facilities.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC002971

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