SENATE BILL 404

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Richard C. Martinez

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE; ESTABLISHING MINIMUM STAFFING STANDARDS FOR MEDICAID-CERTIFIED NURSING FACILITIES; MAKING AN APPROPRIATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public Assistance Act is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] MEDICAL ASSISTANCE--NURSING FACILITIES--INSTITUTIONAL CARE--MINIMUM STAFFING.--

          A. As of July 1, 2017, the department shall require any nursing facility that receives reimbursement through the state's medical assistance program for providing institutionalized care in a medicaid-qualifying bed to meet minimum nursing department staffing standards pursuant to which each patient shall be provided with at least four and one-tenth hours of nursing care per patient day.

          B. As used in this section, "nursing care" means care provided by a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, nurse aide or nurse aide trainee."

     SECTION 2. APPROPRIATION.--Four million six hundred ninety-three thousand two hundred thirty-seven dollars ($4,693,237) is appropriated from the general fund to the human services department for expenditure in fiscal year 2018 to provide reimbursement to nursing facilities providing institutionalized care in medicaid-qualifying beds sufficient to meet the staffing standards established pursuant to Section 1 of this act. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of fiscal year 2018 shall revert to the general fund.

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