State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Connecticut > Title17b > Chap319y > Sec17b-372Sec. 17b-372. Small house nursing homes pilot program. (a) As used in this section, "small house nursing home" means an alternative nursing home facility that (1) consists of one or more units that are designed and modeled as a private home, (2) houses no more than ten individuals in each unit, (3) includes private rooms and bathrooms, (4) provides for an increased role for support staff in the care of residents, (5) incorporates a philosophy of individualized care, and (6) is licensed as a nursing home under chapter 368v.
(b) The Commissioner of Social Services shall establish, within available appropriations, a pilot program to support the development of up to ten small house nursing homes in the state in order to improve the quality of life for nursing home residents and to support a goal of providing nursing home care in a more home-like and less institution-like setting.
(c) Any existing chronic and convalescent nursing home or rest home with nursing supervision may apply to the commissioner for approval of a proposal to develop a small house nursing home and to relocate Medicaid certified beds from its facility to such small house nursing home. The commissioner shall require each small house nursing home under the pilot program to seek certification to participate in the Title XVIII and Title XIX programs and may establish additional requirements for such small house nursing homes. Not later than October 1, 2008, the commissioner shall develop guidelines relating to the design specifications and requirements for small house nursing homes for purposes of the pilot program, and shall submit a copy of the guidelines to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services. Not later than thirty days after receipt of such guidelines, said joint standing committee may advise the commissioner of its approval, denial or modifications, if any, of such guidelines. If said joint standing committee does not act during such thirty-day period, such guidelines shall be deemed approved. If approved, the commissioner shall make such guidelines available to applicants. Each chronic and convalescent nursing home or rest home with nursing supervision submitting a proposal shall provide: (1) A description of the proposed project; (2) information concerning the financial and technical capacity of the applicant to undertake the proposed project; (3) a project budget; (4) information that the relocation of beds shall result in a reduction in the number of nursing facility beds in the state; and (5) any additional information the commissioner deems necessary.
(d) The commissioner, in consultation with the Long-Term Care Planning Committee, established pursuant to section 17b-337, shall evaluate proposals received pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and approve up to ten proposals. The commissioner shall give preference to proposals that include the use of fuel cells or other energy technologies that promote energy efficiency in such small house nursing home. The commissioner shall reserve two out of the ten approvals for proposals to develop a small house nursing home in a distressed municipality, as defined in section 32-9p, with a population greater than one hundred thousand persons.
(e) A small house nursing home developed under this section shall comply with the provisions of sections 17b-352 to 17b-354, inclusive.
(P.A. 08-91, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 08-91 effective July 1, 2008.
