SB1633: NURSING HOMES-RESIDENT RIGHTS

Legislative Summary

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that residents shall have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect for their individuality by employees or persons providing medical services or care and shall have their human and civil rights maintained in all aspects of medical care. Provides that residents shall not perform labor or services for a facility unless those activities are included for therapeutic purposes and appropriately goal-related in the resident's individual medical record. Provides that every facility shall have a written internal grievance procedure that, at a minimum: (1) sets forth the process to be followed; (2) specifies time limits, including time limits for facility response; (3) informs residents of their right to have the assistance of an advocate; (4) provides for a timely response by an impartial decision maker if the grievance is not otherwise resolved; (5) requires the facility to follow applicable State and federal requirements for responding to and reporting any grievance alleging potential abuse, neglect, misappropriation of resident property, or exploitation; and (6) requires the facility to keep a copy of all grievances, responses, and outcomes for 3 years and provide the information to the Department of Public Health upon request. Requires a facility to post specified information concerning rights protection services and where complaints may be lodged. Provides that a facility shall include a link to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program's website on the home page of the facility's website. Makes other changes.