S.F. No. 18 Summary

• Modifies electronic monitoring consent requirements in long-term care facilities by removing the requirement for written medical determinations that residents lack decision-making capacity.

• Establishes comprehensive SARS-CoV-2 infection control requirements and response plans for nursing homes, assisted living facilities, boarding care homes, and home care providers, including baseline testing, personal protective equipment use, and isolation protocols.

• Creates consumer protections for assisted living clients including mandatory pretermination meetings, appeals processes, restrictions on terminations, and requirements for coordinated moves and relocation planning.

• Establishes Long-Term Care Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Related Coronavirus Task Force to study methods of balancing resident rights with infection control during public health emergencies and requires commissioner to develop a state plan for combating SARS-CoV-2 in long-term care settings.

• Suspends service terminations and facility discharges during COVID-19 peacetime emergency and establishes procedures for resident transfers for disease cohorting purposes; appropriates funds for assisted living licensure implementation, Board of Executives operations, and COVID-19 testing programs.