Skoufis Nursing Home Bills Pass Health Committee

Senator James Skoufis (D-Hudson Valley) announced that a package of bills he authored to increase protections and accountability within nursing homes and long-term care facilities has passed through the Senate's Health Committee today. 

These bills were based on over 40 hours of testimony at legislative hearings co-chaired by Senator Skoufis focusing on COVID-19 in residential health care facilities. Among many other devastating issues, the pandemic made it apparent that nursing homes and other congregate living facilities were especially vulnerable and severely ill-equipped to protect against the spread of COVID-19.

Skoufis’ legislation focuses on creating accountability and transparency - both within nursing homes as well as the Department of Health - while increasing safety standards. The goal of these bills is to enhance inspections related to infection control, create clear expectations for PPE, staffing, and reporting, as well as ensure that all relevant stakeholders, including residents and employees, are included in safety decision-making within facilities.

“Absolutely nothing can ever replace the devastating losses that thousands of New Yorkers faced, but we can create a safer future by implementing laws that protect residents and their families," said Senator Skoufis. "That’s exactly what this legislation does and it is what I will continue fighting for as we get these and other important bills across the finish line."

Please see a breakdown of Skoufis’ legislation below: 

S.1783:

• This legislation directs the Department of Health to establish and implement an infection inspection audit and checklist for residential care facilities, nursing homes and long-term care facilities.  
• Facilities will be required to meet eighty percent of the checklist, which will incorporate: infection control, personal protective equipment, staffing, clinical care, communication, and reporting. 
• Those facilities determined to be not in compliance with the inspection control checklist will be subject to a penalty, including the revocation or suspension of the facility's license.

S.1784:

• Facilities will be required to create quality assurance committees, with members consisting of the operator of the facility, representatives of family members of residents, and representatives from frontline employees from each area of operation. 
• This bill ensures that each group has the opportunity to give their unique and distinct insight into how to best protect the health and wellbeing of a facility's residents and employees.

S.3185:

• This legislation requires residential health care facilities to provide residents and their families with documentation, as part of an intake application, advising where they can locate a list of any and all violations the facility has received. 
• During the August hearings, several constituents testified to inadequate measures taken by facilities to keep residents safe and their families aware of the health and wellbeing of those residing in the facilities.

Senator Skoufis expects this legislation along with additional long-term care facility reforms to come to the Senate floor for a full vote this session.

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