Saud Anwar

Senator Anwar Leads Senate Passage of Bill Increasing Nursing Home Staffing Transparency

State Senator Saud Anwar speaks Wednesday on legislation improving transparency for nursing home staffing information.

HARTFORD, CT – Today, the Senate passed legislation requiring nursing homes to increase transparency and ensure their residents receive effective care. State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor), vice-chair of the Public Health Committee, led its passing. The Senate Democratic Caucus proposed the concept as part of its 2019 agenda.

“Our nursing home residents aren’t receiving the care they deserve. Our nursing home caretakers do not have the time or resources to properly administer that care. This needs to stop,” said Sen. Anwar. “This legislation will make nursing homes responsible to provide transparent and detailed information, requiring them to hold themselves accountable and exposing homes that are not providing adequate care. I am excited to see it progress to the House floor.”

Senate Bill No. 375, “An Act Concerning Nursing Home Staffing Levels,” is designed to ensure nursing home residents receive adequate care. It requires these homes to calculate and post information about the total number of nurses and nursing aides who directly work with patients, the minimum number of staff required for each shift, the total number of residents at the home, details on reporting a potential violation, and other pertinent information. That information must be retained for 18 months.

If a nursing home violates patient care or nursing staff levels, this legislation allows the Department of Public Health to potentially take disciplinary action against the home. It additionally protects employees and residents who report suspected violations or works with investigators and makes homes liable for damages to employees or residents who would be retaliated against.

The Department of Public Health reported 247 incidents caused by lapses of care in nursing homes between 2015 and 2018. Not every incident is reported. Senate President Martin Looney testified that the bill’s ensuring transparent reporting of direct care nursing staff levels will additionally allow residents’ family members to be assured their loved ones are receiving appropriate care.

Prior to its approval by the Senate, this legislation passed the Public Health Committee by a 14-11 vote.