THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2467

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to healthcare.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that residential care alternatives to nursing homes, such as intermediate care facilities and skilled nursing facilities, are becoming an important component of the long-term health care market as the State's population ages.  The legislature finds that an assessment of the quality of care provided in these settings, including an assessment of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each care model will serve the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare and will assure that residential care is able to meet the future needs of Hawaii's aged and disabled population.

     Accordingly, this Act:

     (1)  Establishes the intermediate care facility and skilled nursing facility interim study group to analyze the quality of care available at each intermediate care facility and skilled nursing facility in the State and to analyze the existing statutes and administrative rules that govern those facilities; and

     (2)  Directs the study group to make recommendations to improve the quality of care available at skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities with the goals of making high-quality care available to all residents of care facilities, making residential intermediate care and skilled nursing care available to all Hawaii residents who need it, and developing community-based alternatives to residential care for Hawaii residents for whom it is appropriate.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established as a legislative study group exempt from chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to be named the intermediate care facility and skilled nursing facility interim study group, which shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.

     The chairs of the house committee on health and the senate committee on health shall serve as co-chairs of the study group.  Members of the study group, to be jointly appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate, shall include:

     (1)  A representative from the John A. Burns school of medicine of the University of Hawaii;

     (2)  A representative of the office of public health studies at the University of Hawaii;

     (3)  A representative of the state department of health;

     (4)  A representative of the Hawaii Nurses Association;

     (5)  A resident or the caretaker of a resident of an intermediate care facility or skilled nursing facility; and

     (6)  A representative of the Case Management Society of America, Hawaii Chapter.

     (b)  The study group shall specifically review and analyze chapters 321 and 323D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and chapter 94, Hawaii Administrative Rules as well as any other statutes or administrative rules identified by the study group as relevant to the provision of care at intermediate care facilities and skilled nursing facilities.  The study group shall also investigate the quality of care provided at each intermediate care facility and skilled nursing facility in the State.

     The study group shall make recommendations to:

     (1)  Make high-quality care available to all residents of skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities in the State;

     (2)  Make residential intermediate care and skilled nursing care available to all Hawaii residents who need it;

     (3)  Develop community-based alternatives to residential care for Hawaii residents for whom it is appropriate; and

     (4)  Revise existing statutes and administrative rules to accomplish the goals of this Act.

     The legislative reference bureau shall provide technical assistance to the study group to ensure clarity and conformance with proper statutory construction.

     The study group shall submit its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2011.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect July 1, 2010.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Intermediate Care Facilities; Skilled Nursing Facilities

 

Description:

Establishes the intermediate care facilities and skilled nursing facilities interim study group.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.