HF 2494 (LSB 6215HV (1) 89)

HOUSE FILE 2494

BY  COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RESOURCES

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 699)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to nursing facility construction or expansion.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 249K.2, subsection 4, Code 2022, is amended to read as follows:
   4.  “Major renovations” means construction or facility improvements to a nursing facility in which the total amount expended exceeds one million five seven hundred fifty thousand dollars.
    Sec. 2.  Section 249K.5, subsection 2, Code 2022, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  c.  The nursing facility for which relief or an exception is requested is proposing replacement or enhancement of an HVAC, as defined in section 105.2, system for improved infection control.
    Sec. 3.  ADMINISTRATIVE RULES —— ADOPTION AND AMENDMENT.  The department of human services shall adopt or amend rules pursuant to chapter 17A to administer this Act.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill relates to nursing facility construction or expansion under Code chapter 249K (nursing facility construction or expansion). The Code chapter provides a mechanism to support the appropriate number of nursing facility beds for the state’s citizens and to financially assist nursing facilities in remaining compliant with applicable regulations.
   The bill provides that in order to be eligible for rate relief and exceptions under the Code chapter, a nursing facility’s major renovation value threshold is reduced from $1.5 million to $750,000. The bill also provides that in addition to the existing criteria, one of which a nursing facility requesting instant relief or a nondirect care limit exception must meet, an additional criterion is that the nursing facility requesting relief or an exception is proposing replacement or enhancement of an HVAC system for improved infection control. For the purposes of the bill, “HVAC” means heating, ventilation, air conditioning, ducted systems, or any type of refrigeration used for food processing or preservation. “HVAC” includes all natural, propane, liquid propane, or other gas lines associated with any component of an HVAC system.
   The bill directs the department of human services (DHS) to adopt or amend administrative rules to administer the bill.