Purpose of the Bill

This bill is intended to modify existing laws regarding the assessment and monitoring procedures in assisted living facilities in Minnesota. It seeks to ensure that the needs of residents in these facilities are consistently met with appropriate oversight.

Main Provisions

• Nursing Assessments: Assisted living facilities are required to conduct a preliminary nursing assessment by a registered nurse of a prospective resident's physical and cognitive needs, which will help in creating a temporary service plan. This must occur either before the prospective resident signs a contract with the facility or before they move in, whichever happens first. These assessments can be done remotely if necessary due to distance or emergency circumstances, as long as they adhere to person-centered planning standards.

• Reassessments and Monitoring: The bill mandates resident reassessments and monitoring within 14 days of starting services and ongoing evaluations as needed based on the resident's changing needs. These evaluations must not exceed intervals of 90 days.

• Focused Health Assessments: Specific health assessments must be performed by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse and scheduled not to exceed 90 days between evaluations. Annual nursing assessments can replace a scheduled 90-day reassessment.

• Initial Reviews for Certain Services: For residents receiving specific assisted living services (outlined in relevant statutes), an individualized initial review must be completed within 30 days of service initiation. Monitoring must be ongoing and cannot exceed a 90-day interval without reassessment.

• Information on Long-term Care Services: Facilities must inform prospective residents about long-term care consultation services, providing contact information before the signing of a contract or before the move-in date.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces specific timelines for initial and ongoing assessments, with a required initial assessment conducted prior to or at the start of residency.
• Allows the use of telecommunications for initial assessments when necessary.
• Provides clear guidelines for the scheduling frequency of assessments to ensure regular monitoring.
• Updates protocols for focused health assessments to align with set standards and rules.

Relevant Terms

nursing assessment, registered nurse, assisted living services, cognitive needs, temporary service plan, telecommunication methods, resident reassessment, person-centered planning, long-term care consultation, individualized initial review, physical needs, licensed practical nurse.