SB27 (2005) Detail

(New Title) relative to an exemption from the annual inspection of health facilities.


SB 27-FN – AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

02/10/05 0131s

02/10/05 0229s

2005 SESSION

05-0482

01/09

SENATE BILL 27-FN

AN ACT relative to an exemption from the annual inspection of health facilities.

SPONSORS: Sen. Kenney, Dist 3; Sen. Martel, Dist 18; Rep. C. Brown, Carr 1; Rep. J. Martin, Carr 5; Rep. Olimpio, Carr 5; Rep. Patten, Carr 4

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill exempts certain health care facilities from an annual unannounced inspection by the department of health and human services.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

02/10/05 0131s

02/10/05 0229s

05-0482

01/09

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five

AN ACT relative to an exemption from the annual inspection of health facilities.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Health Facility Licensing; Annual Inspection. Amend RSA 151:6-a to read as follows:

151:6-a Annual Inspection. The department of health and human services shall make at least one annual unannounced inspection of every facility licensed under this chapter, unless exempted by rules as authorized by RSA 151:9, I(b). For residential care facilities, defined in RSA 151:2, I(e), the inspection shall include a review of the programs and services offered in the facility to assure that the facility is in compliance with its current level of licensure, and a survey of the most recent individual resident needs determinations where such surveys are not done under the survey and certification process for Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act, as amended, to assure that the facility and its programs and services are appropriate to the needs of the residents. Inspection results shall be provided as a written report which distinguishes between those findings that do, and those which do not, indicate a pattern of care, or which demonstrate over the period of at least 2 inspections, a trend in the care of residents or management of the facility which has the potential for adversely affecting the health of the residents. The results of this inspection and any later inspection shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the facility in the manner determined by the commissioner of the department of health and human services. The results so posted shall indicate the facilities and services inspected and the results for each such facility or service. This section shall not apply to acute care general hospitals and critical access hospitals when the department and the [joint committee for accreditation of hospitals] Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations have agreed on joint inspection standards.

2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

LBAO

05-0482

Amended 2/28/05

SB 27 FISCAL NOTE

AN ACT relative to an exemption from the annual inspection of health facilities.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The Department of Health and Human Services has determined this bill, as amended by the Senate (Senate Amendments #2005-0131s and 2005-0229s), will have an indeterminable fiscal impact on state general fund expenditures in FY 2005 and each year thereafter. There will be no fiscal impact on county and local expenditures or state, county, and local revenue.

METHODOLOGY:

The Department states this bill will authorize the Department to exempt health care facilities by rule, from the annual inspection requirements contained in RSA 151:6-a. The Department states it does not have information regarding the type or number of health care facilities that would seek an inspection exemption by rule, and therefore, cannot determine the fiscal impact.