New Bill Signed by Kemp Aims to Protect the Elderly
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill on Tuesday aimed at reforming senior care homes and protecting residents living in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
House Bill 987 was approved unanimously in both the state House and Senate and won support from lawmakers and senior care advocates.
An article published by the Atlanta Journal Constitution explains some of the changes the law will bring to fruition.
“Under the new law, administrators of assisted living and large personal care homes for the first time will be required to pass a test and be licensed,” the article reads. “Memory care units will now have to be certified. Nurses will be required in assisted living and memory care, and overall staffing and training requirements will increase. Homes will also have to prove they have the financial means to operate before they get a license and will have to disclose any financial problems that come up after they open.”
Facilities that break the law will now face larger fines.
“Under the old law, the typical penalty for the worst violations was $601,” the AJC reports. “Now, the state must impose a fine of at least $5,000 for a violation which causes a resident to be seriously harmed or to die.”
Many of the law’s provisions will not take effect until July of 2021.
Click here to read the full article.
Loading...