PRINTER'S NO. 2463
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1931
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, LABS AND MENTZER, DECEMBER 28, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DECEMBER 28, 2023
AN ACT
Providing for a long-term care medical director registry; and
imposing duties on the Department of Health and the
Department of Human Services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Long-Term
Care Medical Director Registry and Communication Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.
"Disaster emergency." A declaration by the Governor of a
disaster emergency under 35 Pa.C.S. ยง 7301(c) (relating to
general authority of Governor).
"Facility." Any of the following:
(1) A long-term care nursing facility as defined in
section 802.1 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48),
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known as the Health Care Facilities Act.
(2) A personal care home as defined in section 1001 of
the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the Human
Services Code.
(3) An assisted living residence as defined in section
1001 of the Human Services Code.
"Medical director." A physician who:
(1) oversees the medical care and other designated care
and services in a health care organization or facility;
(2) is responsible for coordinating medical care and
assisting in the implementation and evaluation of resident
care policies to reflect current professional standards; and
(3) is either the primary or associate medical director.
Section 3. Medical director registry.
(a) Establishment.--The department, in consultation with the
Department of Human Services, shall establish a registry of
long-term care nursing facilities and, where applicable,
personal care home and assisted living residence medical
directors in this Commonwealth.
(b) Collection of information.--The department and the
Department of Human Services shall collect the following
information for inclusion in the registry as a component of the
annual inspection of a facility required under the act of July
19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities
Act, and the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), known as the
Human Services Code:
(1) The contact information for the medical director,
including a telephone number, facility location and office
email address.
(2) If applicable, proof of completion of a certified
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medical director course or any other certification that
indicates the medical director has participated in medical
director training.
(c) Registry access.--The registry shall be available to the
following:
(1) The department.
(2) The Department of Human Services.
(3) A facility.
(d) Utilization.--
(1) The department and the Department of Human Services
shall consult with the medical directors listed on the
registry to obtain current information and best practices
within facilities during a disaster emergency relating to
public health and other public health emergencies.
(2) The department and the Department of Human Services
may consult with the medical directors listed on the registry
to obtain current information and best practices within
facilities when there is not a disaster declaration relating
to public health or current public health emergency.
Section 4. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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