NC H1196

Requires owners, managers, and operators of congregate living settings (nursing homes and residential care facilities) to mandate weekly COVID-19 diagnostic testing for all staff working on the same premises as residents.

Appropriates $12,000,000 in nonrecurring Coronavirus Relief Funds to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation to purchase and distribute COVID-19 diagnostic test kits and personal protective equipment (respiratory masks and gloves) free of charge to qualifying congregate living settings.

Designates the Division of Health Service Regulation to enforce the weekly testing requirement and distribute testing supplies and PPE to covered facilities within available appropriations.

Appropriated funds remain available to expend until December 30, 2020 and do not revert at the end of the 2019-2020 fiscal year.

Requires the Division of Health Service Regulation to report by March 1, 2021 to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on the use of appropriated funds, including a list of recipient facilities.