ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 309

(2)     THE DEPARTMENT MAY REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS EXEMPT
UNDER PARAGRAPH (1)(III) OF THIS SUBSECTION TO COMPLETE A MANAGER
TRAINING COURSE AND EXAMINATION IF THE DEPARTMENT FINDS THAT THE
ASSISTED LIVING MANAGER REPEATEDLY OR INTENTIONALLY HAS VIOLATED STATE
LAW OR REGULATIONS ON ASSISTED LIVING AND THAT THOSE VIOLATIONS HAVE
CAUSED ACTUAL PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HARM TO A RESIDENT.

(3)     AN ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM MAY REQUEST AN EXTENSION FROM
THE DEPARTMENT TO ALLOW AN INDIVIDUAL TO SERVE AS AN ASSISTED LIVING
MANAGER FOR LONGER THAN 45 DAYS IF THE ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM HAS
SHOWN GOOD CAUSE FOR THE EXTENSION.

(E) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENSURE THAT MANAGER TRAINING COURSES
APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ASSISTED
LIVING PROGRAMS AND TO INDIVIDUALS SEEKING CERTIFICATION AS AN ASSISTED
LIVING MANAGER TO ENROLL IN THE COURSES.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That the Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene shall, in consultation with assisted living managers,
health care professionals who have expertise in providing assisted living care,
Mid-Atlantic LifeSpan, the Health Facilities Association of Maryland, the
Alzheimer's Association, the Mental Health Association of Maryland, and other
interested parties, develop core topics and guidelines, to be used by organizations in
developing an assisted living manager training course and examination.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That:

(a)     The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation with
assisted living services consumers and providers, shall conduct an evaluation of
assisted living services in the State.

(b)     (1) The Department shall submit a report regarding the evaluation to
the Senate Finance Committee and the House Health and Government Operations
Committee, in accordance with § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, on or before
January 1, 2005.

(2) The report shall include recommendations regarding:

(i) training requirements for assisted living managers not covered
under § 19-1807 of the Health - General Article;

(ii) quality standards for assisted living programs with fewer than
17 beds; and

(iii) a method for improving the efficiency of the assisted living
regulatory process.

SECTION 3. 4. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect October 1, 2004.

Approved May 11, 2004.

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