NY A09801

Establishes the Enhanced Quality of Adult Living (EQUAL) program to provide grants to adult care facilities for improving resident quality of life, with allocation methodology developed by the Department of Health considering facility financial status, size, and resident needs.

Prohibits EQUAL program payments to facilities that in the preceding year received notice of certificate revocation, suspension, or denial; received department orders for violations; are subject to court orders affirming resident rights violations; or failed to comply with audit requirements.

Requires facilities to obtain residents' council approval of expenditure plans before applying for funds, with the council identifying resident priorities through voting or surveys for allowable uses including staff training, air conditioning, food quality improvements, furnishings, equipment, and facility repairs.

Restricts EQUAL funds from use for daily operating expenses, employee salaries or benefits, retrospective expenses, or corrective actions required by inspection reports or audits.

Requires the Department of Health to conduct annual audits of recipient facilities to verify funds were spent according to approved expenditure plans, with facilities required to prepare corrective action plans addressing any negative audit findings.