Legislature Adopts Sweeping Reforms for Senior Care Homes

Georgia's House of Representatives on Wednesday unanimously adopted Senate-endorsed legislation to improve staffing, training, and accountability in the state's senior care communities, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution . The bill now goes to Gov. Brian Kemp for signing. The Senate version added requirements for managing COVID-19, and Kemp has said he strongly backs the measure. Under the bill, memory care units would need to attain certification and boost staff, directors would require licensing, and violators would face bigger fines. Moreover, assisted-living communities would be obligated to report financial problems to residents and families. In addition, senior care communities must plan for a pandemic, have a short-term inventory of personal protective equipment, test residents and staff for the virus, and alert residents and families of an outbreak. The bulk of the legislation applies to assisted living and personal care communities with 25 beds or more, but the COVID-19 rules also would be applicable to Georgia's nursing communities.