STATEMENT TO

[Second Reprint]

SENATE, No. 2798

with Assembly Floor Amendments

(Proposed by Assemblyman CONAWAY)

ADOPTED: MARCH 25, 2021

      These floor amendments: (1) create separate requirements for assisted living residences as provided for in the bill; (2) provide that a long-term care facility or an assisted living residence that is unable to hire an infection preventionist on a full-time or part-time basis may contract with an infection preventionist on a consultative basis until October 1, 2021.  An assisted living residence or a long-term care facility is to provide notice to the Department of Health, within 60 days after the bill’s effective date, if the facility is unable to hire an infection preventionist on a full-time or part-time basis and if the facility has contracted with an infection preventionist on a consultative basis.  An assisted living  residence or a long-term care facility is to hire an infection preventionist on a full-time or part-time basis after October 1, 2021; (3) requires each assisted living residence and long-term care facility to annually update outbreak response plans if necessary and make plans available upon request if the facility does not maintain an Internet website; (4) establish separate infection preventionist criteria for assisted living residences as provided for in the bill; (5) designate employees with special infection control training; and (6) require certain training exercises.