NURSING HOMES-COVID-19 VACCINE

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that within one month after the effective date of the amendatory Act, all facilities licensed under the Act must adopt and implement a COVID-19 vaccination mandate that requires all facility staff members licensed in this State to receive a single-shot COVID-19 vaccine or the first dose of a 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine within 7 business days after the facility's mandate takes effect. Provides that the mandate must also require those licensed facility staff members who receive the first dose of a 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine to receive the second dose within the timeframe recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Requires the Department of Public Health to issue a notice of noncompliance to facilities and licensed facility staff members who violate the provisions of the amendatory Act. Provides that a facility shall be fined $500 for each week that the facility fails to comply, not to exceed $24,000 per calendar year. Provides that if a facility fails to comply with the requirements of the amendatory Act within 10 business days after receiving a notice of noncompliance, the Department shall notify the facility in writing that its operational license is subject to revocation. Provides that if a facility staff member fails to comply with a facility's COVID-19 vaccination mandate within 5 business days after receiving a notice of noncompliance, the facility staff member shall be notified by the Department that his or her occupational or professional license will be revoked. Provides that a facility staff member's license will be reinstituted upon providing proof of compliance with the facility's COVID-19 vaccination mandate to the Department. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Nursing Home Infection Control Fund. Effective immediately.