A joint Resolution

 

TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL TO CONDUCT A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT LAW REGARDING COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, QUALIFICATIONS FOR A FACILITY TO IDENTIFY AND ADVERTISE AS AN ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE UNIT, EVALUATION OF STAFFING LEVELS FOR A FACILITY'S ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE UNIT, AND A REVIEW OF THE NEED FOR REGISTERED NURSING COVERAGE IN A FACILITY'S ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE UNIT; AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY JANUARY 1, 2025, FOR UPDATING AND IMPROVING THE LAW'S REQUIREMENTS FOR ALZHEIMER'S SPECIAL CARE UNITS HOUSED IN COMMUNITY RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES.

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

 

SECTION 1.  (A) The Department of Health and Environmental Control is directed to review the current law regarding community residential care facilities including, but not limited to:

       (1) qualifications for a community residential care facility to identify and advertise as an alzheimer's special care unit;

       (2) staffing levels, evaluation of staff-to-resident ratios during the daytime and nighttime, for an alzheimer's special care unit housed in a community residential care facility; and

       (3) the need for registered nursing coverage in an alzheimer's special care unit housed in a community residential care facility.

    (B) The review required by this SECTION must include, but may not be limited to, a review of other states' laws and regulations regarding alzheimer's special care units or facilities, site visits to these units in this State with interviews of administrators and staff of such units, and a thorough review of Regulation 61.84 regarding Standards for Licensing Community Residential Care Facilities.

 

SECTION 2.  The Department of Health and Environmental Control must provide a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2025, with recommendations for changes and improvements to the law regarding alzheimer's special care units in community residential care facilities upon completion of its review pursuant to the provisions of SECTION 1.

 

SECTION 3.  This joint resolution takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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