SB 6466-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Provides that a nursing facility shall readmit a resident, who has been hospitalized or on therapeutic leave, immediately to the first available bed in a semiprivate room if the resident: (1) Requires the services provided by the facility; and

(2) Is eligible for medicaid nursing facility services.

Provides that a nursing facility is permitted to give preferential admission to individuals who seek admission from a boarding home, licensed under chapter 18.20 RCW, or from independent retirement housing, provided the nursing facility is owned by the same entity that owns the boarding home or independent housing which are located within the same county; and provided further, the purpose of such preferential admission is to allow continued provision of: (1) Culturally or faith-based services; or

(2) Services provided by a continuing care retirement community as defined in RCW 70.38.025.

Declares it is not an act of discrimination under this act to refuse to admit a patient if admitting that patient would prevent the needs of the other patients residing in that facility from being met at that facility, or if the facility's refusal is consistent with this act.