House Bill 1084 Summary

• Amends IC 16-28-9-3 to establish criminal penalties for retaliation or discrimination against nursing home residents or employees who report health or safety concerns.

• Makes it a Class C misdemeanor to retaliate or discriminate against a resident or employee for contacting state officials, supervisors, or other authorized parties regarding resident health and safety issues.

• Expands protected reporting to include information shared in good faith with health care professionals employed by or contracted with the facility, or with family members authorized to provide health care consent.

• Authorizes the commissioner to pursue civil enforcement actions and impose civil penalties up to $25,000 in addition to criminal penalties.

• Becomes effective July 1, 2011.