§ 23-17.3-1 - Establishment – Purposes – Reports to Council.
SECTION 23-17.3-1
§ 23-17.3-1 Establishment – Purposes– Reports to Council. – (a) There is established the long-term care coordinating council. The purposeof the council shall be to develop and coordinate state policy concerning allforms of long-term health care for the elderly and adults with chronicdisabilities and illnesses, ranging from at-home and community based care andrespite care through intensive nursing care to long-term hospital care. Thecouncil shall examine and make recommendations concerning any and all issuesrelating to long-term health care for the elderly and adults with chronicdisabilities and illnesses, including, but not limited to:
(1) Standards and quality performance;
(2) Personnel issues including training standards,recruitment, and staffing needs;
(3) Enforcement of regulations;
(4) Patient and client rights;
(5) Eligibility and access issues; and
(6) The adequacy of funding and delivery of long-term careservices.
(b) The council is empowered to appoint subcommittees tostudy specialized areas of concern and to report their findings to the council.
(c) The council is empowered to seek the advice andassistance of the American Association of Retired Persons, Rhode Islandchapter, members of state and local senior citizens' councils andadvocacy/interest groups, and long term care organizations and associations.
(d) The council is empowered to apply for and receive grants,appropriations, or gifts from any federal, state, or local agency, from anypublic or private foundation, or from any individual in order to carry out thepurposes of this chapter.
(e) All departments, boards, and agencies of the state shallcooperate with the council and furnish any advice and information, documentaryand otherwise, that may be necessary or desirable to facilitate the purposes ofthis chapter.
(f) The department of health shall provide a written reportto the long-term care coordinating council by March 30 of each year regardingits regulatory activities for the preceding calendar year in the area oflong-term care. The annual regulatory report shall include information onlong-term care survey activities, including complaints of abuse and/or neglect,as requested by the chairperson of the council. In addition, the department ofhealth shall also notify the chairperson of the council whenever a licensedlong term care facility or provider is cited for providing substandard care.