By RCFE Special Services • SB 540 (Soto) requires a facility that advertises or promotes special care, programming or environments for residents with a health related condition to provide an accurate narrative description of these programs and services. Effective January 1, 2004.
RCFE Admission Agreements • SB 211 (Dunn) requires all RCFE admission agreements to include detailed explanations of fees and services, explanations of billing and payment, information regarding residents’ rights, and makes copies of the agreement available to the public. Effective January 1, 2004.
Nursing Home Patient Transfers • SB 339 (Ortiz) increases relocation protections prior to the transfer of nursing home residents, in order to reduce incidents of transfer trauma. Also allows residents to remain in a facility past the 30 day notice if adequate placement has not been made, and requires DHS to request that the Attorney General seek injunctive relief when facilities fail or refuse to provide appropriate relocation services. Effective January 1, 2003.
Residential Care for the Elderly/Pre-Admission Fees • SB 1898 (Soto) requires 60 days notice prior to an increase in the basic rate and prohibits an RCFE from charging security or damage deposits. Effective January 1, 2003.
Medi-Cal Notice Regarding Principal Residence • SB 1633 (Soto) requires the Department of Health Services to provide any aged, blind or disabled Medi-Cal applicant a notice explaining in clear and simple language the circumstances under which an interest in a home may be transferred without affecting Medi-Cal eligibility. Effective January 1, 2003.
Elder Death Review Teams • SB 333 (Escutia) establishes an interagency team to review deaths of elders with the goal of identifying and preventing elder abuse. Effective January 1, 2002.
Nursing Home Staffing Ratios • AB 1075 (Shelley) requires DHS to develop regulations that establish staff-to-patient ratios in skilled nursing facilities. Also requires facilities to post information about staffing levels. Effective January 1, 2002.
Discharge Planning/Relocation Guidelines • SB 587 (Soto) provides that acute care hospitals must establish specific discharge planning protocols prior to the discharge of a patient. Effective January 1, 2002.