Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman BETTYLOU DECROCE
District 26 (Essex, Morris and Passaic)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblyman Thomson
SYNOPSIS
Requires biennial inspection of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act concerning nursing homes and assisted living facilities and supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. a. As used in this act:
“Assisted living facility” means an assisted living residence or comprehensive personal care home licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.);
"Nursing home" means a long-term care facility licensed pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.), as well as the distinct part of another health care facility or continuing care retirement community that is licensed to provide skilled nursing care services pursuant to P.L.1971, c.136 (C.26:2H-1 et seq.).
b. Within 180 days following the effective date of this act, the Department of Health shall establish uniform care and operating procedures and standards for nursing homes and assisted living facilities in this State.
c. The Department of Health shall conduct biennial, on-site inspections of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to ensure that nursing homes and assisted living facilities in this State operate in accordance with procedures and standards promulgated pursuant to subsection b. of this section.
d. The Department of Health shall conduct such other periodic reviews of nursing homes and assisted living facilities as deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Health.
e. The Department of Health shall post on its Internet website each inspection report prepared following an inspection of a nursing home or assisted living facility that is performed pursuant to this section.
2. The Commissioner of Health shall adopt rules and regulations, in accordance with the “Administrative Procedure Act,” P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this act.
3. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires biennial inspection of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
The bill provides that, within 180 days following the bill’s effective date, the Department of Health (department) is to establish uniform care and operating procedures and standards for nursing homes and assisted living facilities in this State. The department of is to conduct biennial, on-site inspections of nursing homes and assisted living facilities to ensure that nursing homes and assisted living facilities in this State operate in accordance with procedures and standards promulgated by the department. The department is to conduct such other periodic reviews of nursing homes and assisted living facilities as deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Health. Finally, the department is to post on its Internet website each inspection report prepared following an inspection of a nursing home or assisted living facility that is performed pursuant to the bill’s provisions.