S.B. No. 283 Summary

• Establishes alternative sanctions for residential care facilities including corrective orders, civil penalties ($50-$3,000 per resident per day), restrictions on new admissions, temporary safety managers, and license suspension based on violation severity.

• Authorizes memory care units in residential care facilities serving residents with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, requiring director approval and establishing standards for physical space, activities, staffing, and resident assessment.

• Changes inspection frequency for residential care facilities from every 15 months to every 6 months, with expedited inspections available upon request for a fee.

• Appropriates $2,000,000 in fiscal year 2017 to regional long-term care ombudsman programs to hire additional staff.

• Directs civil penalties collected from facilities to be transferred to General Revenue Fund up to $2,000,000 to fund ombudsman programs, with excess revenue used to hire additional health department inspectors.