HB 1023 Summary

• Establishes minimum direct care nursing staff ratios for health facilities: at least 1 staff member per 6 residents during day shift (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and 1 per 9 residents during evening shift (7:01 p.m. to 6:59 a.m.)

• Requires at least 1 registered nurse per 40 residents providing direct care services and present at the facility at all times during shifts, excluding nursing directors

• Allows waivers from staffing ratio requirements during declared disaster emergencies or natural disasters, and permits the state department to waive requirements if facilities demonstrate inability to recruit staff despite diligent efforts and the waiver does not endanger resident safety

• Requires the state department to notify the state long term care ombudsman and residents when a waiver is granted, and requires health facilities to have on-call registered nurse or physician services during waiver periods

• Authorizes the state department to enforce staffing ratios and cite health facilities for non-compliance with deficiencies, effective July 1, 2012