NURSING HOMES: Modifies licensing procedures for nursing facilities

HB 654 modifies Louisiana's nursing facility licensing process to address bed availability based on community need. It requires the Louisiana Department of Health to calculate needed nursing beds in each parish by comparing the senior population (65+) to national nursing bed data, then determine if 30-120 beds or over 120 beds are needed. The bill directs the department to accept applications for expanding existing high-quality facilities (with >3-star CMS ratings) or new facilities (120 beds) only where need is confirmed, with preference for applicants committing to 95% private rooms and maintaining high quality ratings. Applicants must own/operate facilities, and licensees have one year to begin construction or risk losing the license. The bill repeals the previous licensing section (R.S. 40:2116.1) and excludes replacements without bed increases or conversions to adult care homes.