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History
- Referred to health
- Recommitted to rules
- Ordered to third reading cal.1622
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Relates to a statewide plan for evacuation and disaster and emergency preparedness plans at nursing homes and assisted living facilities
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Joan Millman
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S5818
Title of bill
An act in relation to the formulation and implementation of a statewide plan for evacuation and disaster and emergency preparedness plans at nursing homes and assisted living facilities, requiring inspections of such facilities to ensure compliance with the state-wide plan and requiring the department of health to prepare a report including recommendations and guidelines relative to the existence, placement, and maintenance of emergency power equipment in hospitals and other facilities licensed under article 28 of the public health law
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to determine whether evacuation plans for nursing homes and other facilities are adequate for disasters such as Hurricane Sandy and, if not, to ensure that the situation is remedied.
Read the full memo (639 words)
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1: This bill would require the Department of Health, in consultation with the Office for the Aging and the Emergency Management Office of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, to conduct a comprehensive review of recommendations made in the following reports:
*Department of Health and Human Services, "Supplemental Information Regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Health Care Facilities;"
*Department of Health and Human Services, ,"Gap Continue to Exist in Nursing Home Emergency Preparedness and Response During Disasters;"
*Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, "No Way Out An Analysis of the NYS Department of Health's Role in Preparing Nursing Homes For Emergencies;" and
*Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions, "Final Report on NYC Emergency Response and Evacuation Plans in the Event of a Weather-Related Emergency".
The review also would consider additional supporting information or input from stakeholders, facility residents, advocacy groups, facility operators, and any government or public entity deemed relevant including, but not limited to the New York State Office of Long Term Care Ombudsman.
Section 2: Within one year of the completion of such review, the Department of Health would be required to issue a report detailing recommendations for statutory or regulatory changes.
Section 3: The Department of Health would be required to establish an inspection system whereby all nursing homes and assisted living facilities are reviewed for compliance with regulations pertaining to evacuation, disaster, and emergency preparedness plans every six months.
Section 4: Within one year of the effective date of this act the Department of Health, in consultation with the Emergency Management Office of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, would be required to study the placement and maintenance of emergency power equipment in all hospitals, clinics, and other facilities licensed under article 28 of the Public Health Law. The Department of Health would be required to prepare a report that would include recommendations and guidelines relative to the existence, placement, and maintenance of emergency power equipment in such facilities, recommendations for modifying or improving the availability, use, and effectiveness of such equipment, and a determination of the cost of such implementation and improvements. Such report would be provided to the Governor, the Speaker of the Assembly, the Temporary President of the Senate, the Assembly Minority Leader and the Senate Minority Leader.
Justification
There are currently requirements for evacuation plans in nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. However, these plans did not take into account a disaster as far-reaching as Hurricane Sandy. Residents were split up and sent to different facilities without adequate records being kept. Family members could not find their loved ones. Some nursing homes' evacuation plans included moving seniors to a hospital or other facility within the same area, but did not plan for the need to move to a different part of the county or city. It is vital that evacuation planning include a comprehensive backup in the case of a superstorm like Sandy.
Prior legislative history
None.
Fiscal implications
To be determined.
Effective date
This act shall take effect immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.