Assigned to HHS                                                                                                           AS PASSED BY HOUSE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session

AMENDED

FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1038

Arizona pioneers' home; regulation

Purpose

            An emergency measure that requires the Arizona Pioneers' Home (Home) to be licensed as a health care institution by the Department of Health Services (DHS).

Background

The Home, established in 1909, and opened in Prescott in 1911, is a long-term care facility and is additionally designated as the State Hospital for Minors with Disabilities. Originally charged with caring for residents who were active in Arizona's early development, the Home's admission requirements have been modified to allow the Home to become a nursing facility for long-time Arizona residents. Candidates for admission to the Home must: 1) be a legal resident or citizen of the United States for five years prior to their application to the Home; 2) reside in Arizona for at least 50 years; 3) be at least 70 years of age; and 4) be ambulatory and able to care for themselves (A.R.S. § 41-923). The Home includes a nursing department which is responsible for administering medications, performing physical assessments and treatment.

            DHS is responsible for the licensure, regulation and supervision of health care institutions in Arizona, with certain exceptions. Currently, the Home is exempt from licensure by DHS; however, DHS annually evaluates the health and sanitation conditions at the Home using standards that are applicable to nursing care institutions (A.R.S. § 36-402).

            There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.

Provisions

1. Subjects the Home to DHS licensure, regulation and supervision requirements for health care institutions.

2. Exempts the Home from architectural plan and physical plant standards for health care institutions prescribed by DHS.

3. Makes technical and conforming changes.

4. Becomes effective on the signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.

Amendments Adopted by the House of Representatives

· Adds an emergency clause.

Senate Action House Action

HHS                1/23/19      DP       8-0-0                   HHS                3/7/19        DPA       8-0-0-1

3^rd Read          2/4/19                    30-0-0                 3^rd Read          4/30/19                     59-0-1

Prepared by Senate Research

May 1, 2019

CRS/AG/kja