By Healthcare Facilities Today

A group of Bay Area lawmakers has created a legislation package to demand changes and reform within the state Department of Social Services, according to an article on the Mercury News website.

Known as the Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Reform Act of 2014, the bills are co-sponsored by the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform:

Among the packages goals:

• An online consumer information system to include license, ownership, survey, complaint and enforcement information on every elder care facility by June 2019

• Unannounced inspections of all residential care facilities at least once a year

• Timely complaint investigations that give complainants written notice of findings and provide care facilities an opportunity to appeal

• Increased qualifications and training requirements for care facility administrators and staff

• Clarified obligations for the department and the licensee and timelines for the safe relocation of residents when a facility's license has been suspended or revoked

• Complete disclosure of ownership and prior ownership of any type of facility, including nursing facilities and any similar entity in other states

• Employ trained medical personnel on a full- or part-time basis as appropriate for facilities that accept elderly residents with restricted or specialized health conditions

Read the article.