GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2001
S	1
SENATE BILL 178*

 
 
Short Title:	Adult Care Home Assessment.	()	
Sponsors:	Senators Purcell;  Carter, Dannelly, Forrester, Harris, and Metcalf.	
Referred to:	Children & Human Resources.	
February 19, 2001

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO DEVELOP AN INSTRUMENT FOR ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF CARE PROVIDED BY ADULT CARE HOMES.

Whereas, the number of persons who are considering residency in adult care homes is increasing; and
Whereas, when choosing among available adult care homes, persons who need the care and services provided by these facilities often do not know how to evaluate and compare the physical plant, care, and services provided, and costs associated with residency; and
Whereas, an evaluation method for adult care homes would enable consumers of adult care home services to determine the extent to which quality of care and physical plant standards have been met by the facility before deciding whether to reside there; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall develop an assessment instrument that will enable residents of adult care homes, and their families, to determine the extent to which the facility provides quality care.  The assessment shall be conducted by the State or local government.  The instrument shall address discreet areas of care, services, and physical plant amenities and conditions.  The Department shall consult with industry representatives, advocacy and research organizations, and consumers in developing the assessment instrument.
SECTION 2.  The Department of Health and Human Services shall report on the development of the assessment instrument to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging on or before November 1, 2001.  The report shall include a recommendation on whether the assessment should be conducted by the State or by local government.  The Department may conduct a pilot test of the assessment in selected adult care homes that have agreed to participate.  If a pilot test is conducted, the Department shall report the results of the pilot test to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging not later than April 1, 2002.
SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) for the 2001‑2002 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used to implement this act.
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2001.