FL S1596

Revises the division of punitive damages awards in nursing home cases so claimants receive 40 percent and the Quality of Long-Term Care Facility Improvement Trust Fund receives 60 percent, and extends these provisions to settled cases where punitive damages were granted.

Increases the trust fund's share in post-verdict settlements from 50 percent to 75 percent of the punitive damages portion of the settlement amount.

Authorizes the trust fund to establish a grant program through the Agency for Health Care Administration to reimburse nursing home facilities for purchasing, installing, repairing, or improving onsite operational generators and fuel supplies.

Establishes eligibility criteria for reimbursement requiring facilities to have no class I deficiencies within 30 months, be outside hurricane evacuation zones and 100-year flood plains, have capacity to house evacuated residents, and agree to receive transferred residents during emergencies.

Appropriates nonrecurring funds from the General Revenue Fund, Quality of Long-Term Care Facility Improvement Trust Fund, and Medical Care Trust Fund for the 2018-2019 fiscal year to reimburse facilities for emergency power equipment costs, with Medicaid rate increases available to offset these expenses.