Relates to admission to adult care facilities

2 Co-sponsors

• George D. Maziarz
• Antoine M. Thompson

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to admissions to adult care facilities

Purpose

This bill will improve the health, safety and quality of life of New York residents living in adult care facilities.

Summary of provisions

The bill amends Public Health Law (PHL) §§ 4651(13) and(l5) to revise the definitions of "aging in place" and "enhanced assisted living residence" (EALR) to permit the admission of residents to an EALR from outside the residence, as long as such residents are not in need of continual 24 hour nursing or medical care, are not chronically bedfast and are not so cognitively, physically or mentally impaired that their safety would be endangered.

Justification

Adult homes, enriched housing programs and residences for adults - collectively referred to as adult care facilities _ are important models of care that serve as the homes of thousands of New York State residents. The bill addresses issues concerning adult care facilities that are certified as ALRs, EALRs, and SNALRs under PHL Arricle 46-B. Currently, PHL . 4651 allow ALR residents to move to the EALR level only if they reside in an ALR with EALR certification; individuals cannot be admitted directly to an EALR from any other source. The bill would allow individuals who are appropriate for placement in an EALR to be admitted from other settings, such as the community, other ALRs or other EALRs, but reiterates that a resident requiring 24 hour nursing or medical care may not be admitted to an EALR.

Legislative history

Drawn from a similar bill (a departmental) that was introduced in 2007 (A.8701/S.5155) but did not pass.

Fiscal implications

This bill is not expected to have a fiscal impact on the State

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.