SB629 Summary

• Removes Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs facilities from exemption under the Nursing Home Care Act and requires them to be regulated as existing nursing facilities subject to state and federal standards.

• Mandates annual unannounced inspections of all Oklahoma Veterans Center nursing facilities by the State Department of Health.

• Requires the State Department of Health to submit inspection reports, deficiencies, and corrective action plans for Veterans Affairs facilities to the Governor, Speaker of the House, and President Pro Tempore of the Senate within 30 days.

• Applies Nursing Home Care Act prohibitions to all persons at Veterans Affairs facilities, including restrictions on preventing inspections, filing false information, and retaliating against residents or employees.

• Extends criminal background check requirements and nurse aide certification standards to employees at Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and allows for temporary emergency waivers when staffing requirements cannot be met.