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2020 SESSION

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SB 397 Nursing homes; VDH to convene work group related to increasing availability of clinical workforce.

Introduced by: Jennifer A. Kiggans | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Department of Health; work group; nursing home workforce. Directs the Department of Health to convene a work group to review and make recommendations on increasing the availability of the clinical workforce for nursing homes in the Commonwealth. The work group shall include stakeholder groups as appropriate. The bill directs the Department to collaborate with the Department of Health Professions, the Governor's Chief Workforce Development Advisor, and other state agencies as appropriate. The bill directs the Department to report all recommendations to the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Education and Health and the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions on or before November 15, 2020.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Nursing home standards of care and staff requirements; regulations. Increases the staffing and care standards in nursing homes to require a minimum of specific direct care services to each resident per 24-hour period and a minimum nursing staff-to-patient ratio of one to six. The bill requires nursing homes to complete a criminal background check on each employee prior to the start of employment and every five years thereafter that the employee remains employed. The bill also requires nursing homes to provide quarterly staff training on first aid, medication administration, and compliance with nursing home policies and procedures.