HB3629 Summary

• Department of Human Services must create a transitional and emergency home services program within 4 months to provide nursing services and assistance with activities of daily living for individuals who qualify for nursing facility placement but can receive care in the community.

• Program must determine eligibility within 24 hours, provide all services available under Medicaid waivers (including medication management, bathing, transferring, catheterization), and continue services until waiver assessment is complete or long-term services begin.

• Residents receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits residing in facilities shall receive a $90 monthly personal needs allowance, with the Department of Human Services providing $60 in addition to federal amounts, with annual increases tied to Social Security cost-of-living adjustments.

• Facility owners, management, and employees are prohibited from retaliating against residents or employees who complain about services, file complaints with agencies, seek assistance, join resident councils, or testify about facility conditions.

• Retaliation violations trigger a rebuttable presumption if adverse actions occur within one year of complaints; violators face compensatory damages, attorney's fees, and additional penalties of twice the facility's monthly billing for affected residents.