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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill enacts provisions related to the transfer or discharge of a resident from an
10 assisted living facility.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 ▸ renames a part;
14 ▸ provides notice requirements when an assisted living facility transfers or discharges
15 a resident;
16 ▸ requires the ombudsman to gather information regarding assisted living facility
17 transfers or discharges and annually report that information to the Health and
18 Human Services Interim Committee; and
19 ▸ makes technical changes.
20 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
21 None
22 Other Special Clauses:
23 None
24 Utah Code Sections Affected:
25 AMENDS:
26 26-21-301, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 141
27 26-21-302, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2016, Chapter 141
28 63I-1-262, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2017, Chapter 459
29 ENACTS:
30 26-21-305, Utah Code Annotated 1953
31 62A-3-209, Utah Code Annotated 1953
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33 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
34 Section 1. Section 26-21-301 is amended to read:
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36 26-21-301. Title.
37 This part is known as [
38 Section 2. Section 26-21-302 is amended to read:
39 26-21-302. Definitions.
40 As used in this part:
41 (1) "Facility" means an assisted living facility.
42 (2) "Legal representative" means an individual who is legally authorized to make
43 health care decisions on behalf of another individual.
44 (3) (a) "Monitoring device" means:
45 (i) a video surveillance camera; or
46 (ii) a microphone or other device that captures audio.
47 (b) "Monitoring device" does not include:
48 (i) a device that is specifically intended to intercept wire, electronic, or oral
49 communication without notice to or the consent of a party to the communication; or
50 (ii) a device that is connected to the Internet or that is set up to transmit data via an
51 electronic communication.
52 (4) "Ombudsman" means the same as that term is defined in Section 62A-3-202.
53 [
54 (6) "Responsible person" means an individual who:
55 (a) is designated in writing by a resident to receive communication on behalf of the
56 resident; or
57 (b) a legal representative.
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59 [
60 Section 3. Section 26-21-305 is enacted to read:
61 26-21-305. Transfer or discharge.
62 When a facility initiates the transfer or discharge of a resident, the facility shall:
63 (1) notify the resident and the resident's responsible person, if any, in writing and in a
64 language and a manner that is most likely to be understood by the resident and the resident's
65 responsible person, of:
66 (a) the reasons for the transfer or discharge;
67 (b) the effective date of the transfer or discharge;
68 (c) the location to which the resident will be transferred or discharged, if known; and
69 (d) the name, address, email, and telephone number of the ombudsman;
70 (2) send a copy, in English, of the notice described in Subsection (1)(a) to the
71 ombudsman on the same day on which the facility delivers the notice described in Subsection
72 (1)(a) to the resident and the resident's responsible person;
73 (3) provide the notice described in Subsection (1)(a) at least 30 days before the day on
74 which the resident is transferred or discharged, unless:
75 (a) notice for a shorter period of time is necessary to protect:
76 (i) the safety of individuals in the facility from endangerment due to the medical or
77 behavioral status of the resident; or
78 (ii) the health of individuals in the facility from endangerment due to the resident's
79 continued residency;
80 (b) an immediate transfer or discharge is required by the resident's urgent medical
81 needs; or
82 (c) the resident has not resided in the facility for at least 30 days;
83 (4) update the transfer or discharge notice as soon as practicable before the transfer or
84 discharge if information in the notice changes before the transfer or discharge;
85 (5) orally explain to the resident:
86 (a) the services available through the ombudsman; and
87 (b) the contact information for the ombudsman;
88 (6) provide and document the provision of preparation and orientation, in a language
89 and manner the resident is most likely to understand, for a resident to ensure a safe and orderly
90 transfer or discharge from the facility; and
91 (7) in the event of a facility closure, provide written notification of the closure to the
92 ombudsman, each resident of the facility, and each resident's responsible person.
93 Section 4. Section 62A-3-209 is enacted to read:
94 62A-3-209. Assisted living facility transfers.
95 (1) After the ombudsman receives a notice described in Subsection 26-21-305(1)(a),
96 the ombudsman shall:
97 (a) review the notice; and
98 (b) contact the resident or the resident's responsible person to conduct a voluntary
99 interview.
100 (2) The voluntary interview described in Subsection (1)(b) shall:
101 (a) provide the resident with information about the services available through the
102 ombudsman;
103 (b) confirm the details in the notice described in Subsection 26-21-305(1)(a),
104 including:
105 (i) the name of the resident;
106 (ii) the reason for the transfer or discharge;
107 (iii) the date of the transfer or discharge; and
108 (iv) a description of the resident's next living arrangement; and
109 (c) provide the resident an opportunity to discuss any concerns or complaints the
110 resident may have regarding:
111 (i) the resident's treatment at the assisted living facility; and
112 (ii) whether the assisted living facility treated the resident fairly when the assisted
113 living facility transferred or discharged the resident.
114 (3) On or before November 1 of each year, the ombudsman shall provide a report to the
115 Health and Human Services Interim Committee regarding:
116 (a) the reasons why assisted living facilities are transferring residents;
117 (b) where residents are going upon transfer or discharge; and
118 (c) the type and prevalence of complaints that the ombudsman receives regarding
119 assisted living facilities, including complaints about the process or reasons for a transfer or
120 discharge.
121 Section 5. Section 63I-1-262 is amended to read:
122 63I-1-262. Repeal dates, Title 62A.
123 (1) Section 62A-3-209 is repealed July 1, 2023.
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