SB 3179

Abstract

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Adds additional duties for the Inspector General for the Department of Human Services. Defines "substantiated" to mean that there is clear and convincing evidence (rather than a preponderance) to support the allegation of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Defines "nurse-training". Changes the criteria for non-licensed authorized direct care staff. Provides that within one year after the bill's effective date, the Department shall prepare a report that identifies any efficiencies or improvements in Department operations, the oversight of agencies, and the reduction or elimination of duplicative activities. The report shall include a quality assessment of the feasibility of combining the functions of the Division of Developmental Disabilities' Bureau of Quality Management and the Department's Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification. Upon the report's completion, the Department shall post the report on the Department's website and submit it to the General Assembly and Governor. Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that using contemporary data gathered on reports of allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation, the Department shall establish a process by which the Department requires responses from agencies that annually report a number of allegations that are 2 or more standard deviations from the mean for all agencies. Provides that if an agency has documented evidence and has determined that the agency cannot adequately staff a community-integrated living arrangement, then the agency may take immediate steps to close the community-integrated living arrangement. Effective immediately.