In
keeping pace with new state regulations, the National Center for Assisted
Living (NCAL) has published the 2017 edition of its “Assisted Living State
Regulatory Review” covering updates in 17 states. Included in the new reporting
are overviews of new laws in California, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Virginia to
enhance penalties and oversight of assisted living operators.
“Once
again, states are demonstrating their effectiveness in regulating assisted living
communities,” said NCAL Executive Director Scott Tittle. “These targeted
changes indicate a robust oversight system is in place, as providers continue
to meet the local demands of residents and families. We all have the same goal
in mind—ensuring the utmost care for our residents.”
NCAL’s
“Assisted Living State Regulatory Review” summarizes key selected state
requirements for assisted living licensure or certification. There is information
on 20 separate categories, including which state agency licenses assisted
living as well as recent legislative and regulatory activity. Other categories examine
the requirements for resident agreements, admission and discharge policies,
scope of care, and life safety.
When
assessing a theme to the state regulatory activity, NCAL said the most common
changes among the 17 states that reported updates were for civil monetary
penalties and oversight requirements. Many states also issued new regs on training
requirements, administrator licensing, background checks, and medication
administration.
“We
anticipate that more than half of states will be proposing, formally reviewing,
or considering changes that would affect assisted living communities in the
coming year. Some may make significant changes, while others may make small
updates,” said Lilly Hummel, NCAL’s senior policy director and the report’s
author.
“States
are also in the process of reviewing their regulations to comply with federal
requirements for assisted living communities and other home- and
community-based settings that are Medicaid providers.”
The
full report, along with each state’s, summary is available online at www.ncal.org.