GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1989

H	1 

HOUSE BILL 2310

Short Title:  Rest Home Staffing/Funds Saved.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Representatives Stam; Gardner, Gray, Brubaker, Buchanan, Ligon, Hege, Flaherty, Loflin, Privette, Pope, Bowie, Wood, and Kimsey.
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Referred to:  Human Resources.
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June 5, 1990

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO SAVE STATE FUNDS BY CHANGING THE RULES REGARDING REST HOME STAFFING.
Whereas, currently, the rules of the Social Services Commission require that, unlike any other service providers, rest homes must staff according to license rather than census; and
Whereas, this requirement means that rest homes are required to staff empty beds; and
Whereas, currently, there is a twelve percent (12%) vacancy rate statewide in rest homes; and
Whereas, to staff these unoccupied beds as is required by the current rules costs the industry approximately four million dollars ($4,000,000) based on minimum wage; and
Whereas, as State reimbursement rate increases are approved based on costs received for operations, without a rule change, the State will have to increase appropriations to increase rate reimbursement to cover the costs of staffing these empty beds;  Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  Effective October 1, 1990, the Social Services Commission shall change its rule regarding rest homes staffing to a rule that requires staffing based on annual residency census.
Sec. 2.  This act shall become effective October 1, 1990.