Staffing requirements adopted in 2020 for Georgia assisted living and memory care communities would be reduced under legislation proposed Tuesday by a state lawmaker who owns and operates a chain of senior living communities in Georgia and Florida.
The bill, introduced by State Rep. John LaHood (R), would allow facilities to meet minimum monthly staffing requirements rather than the current weekly requirement for nursing hours. The number of hours wouldn’t change in total, but hours could be spread out across the month.
“It puts a couple of practical measures in place to help alleviate some of the staffing challenges while not compromising standards of care,” LaHood said previously.
Additionally, the bill makes changes to the number of staff members required at any given time. For example, in memory care where at least two staff members currently are required to be present at all times, if passed, HB1531 would permit one staff member to be present if there are fewer than 12 residents during the day and 15 residents at night.
“This bill helps ensure the safety of residents and reflects the realities of the staffing crisis,” a representative of LeadingAge Georgia told the McKnight’s Business Daily. “It’s important that advocates, providers, legislators and agencies work together to fortify the workforce. Adequate staffing is the key to quality care, and all of the players need to be working together to ensure great care.”
LaHood met Thursday with advocates for older adults and with state Rep. Sharon Cooper (R), who had concerns about the legislation. He presented a revised bill to the House Human Relations and Aging Committee, and it passed out of the committee with a 6-to-4 vote.
Revisions to the bill appear to have satisfied Cooper, who was a lead sponsor of the law that passed in 2020.
“We fought so very hard to improve the quality of care for our citizens living in these facilities. I’m against any change that would weaken the current law,” she said Tuesday, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
