Nursing homes; standards of care and staff requirements, regulations.

Nursing home standards of care and staff requirements; regulations. Requires the State Board of Health to establishstaffing and care standards in nursing homes to require a minimumof direct care services to each resident per 24-hour period as follows:(i) a minimum of one registered nurse or licensed practical nurseper 15 patients and one certified nursing assistant per eight patientsduring the daytime; (ii) a minimum of one registered nurse or licensedpractical nurse per 20 patients and one certified nursing assistantper 12 patients during the evening; and (iii) a minimum of one registerednurse or licensed practical nurse per 30 patients and one certifiednursing assistant per 15 patients during the nighttime. Such requirementsmay not apply during a health crisis, emergency, or during an outbreakof a communicable disease of public health threat. The bill requires nursing homes to complete a criminal background check on each employeeprior to the start of employment and every five years thereafterthat the employee remains employed. The bill also requires nursinghomes to provide quarterly staff training on first aid, medicationadministration, and compliance with nursing home policies and procedures.