2020 -- S 2746

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LC004438

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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 -- NURSING HOME STAFFING

     

     Introduced By: Senators Crowley, Metts, Sheehan, and Quezada

     Date Introduced: March 04, 2020

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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     23-17.5-32. Minimum staffing levels.

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     (a) Each facility shall have the necessary nursing service personnel (licensed and non-

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licensed) in sufficient numbers on a twenty-four (24) hour basis, to assess the needs of residents,

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to develop and implement resident care plans, to provide direct resident care services, and to

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perform other related activities to maintain the health, safety and welfare of residents. The facility

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shall have a registered nurse on the premises twenty-four (24) hours a day.

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     (b) Commencing on January 1, 2021, nursing facilities shall provide a minimum daily

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average of four and one-tenth (4.1) hours of direct nursing care per resident, per day, of which at

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least two and eight-tenths (2.8) hours shall be provided by certified nurse assistants.

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     (c) The department shall promulgate rules and regulations in consultation with

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stakeholders to implement these minimum staffing requirements on or before January 1, 2021.

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     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 -- NURSING HOME STAFFING

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     This act would mandate minimum staffing levels and standards for quality care for

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nursing homes and their residents.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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