SECTION 1:  The Department of Public Health shall amend the Licensure Procedure and Suitability Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities in Massachusetts regulations (105 CMR 153).  Such amendment shall establish a formal and open public hearing process that would precede approval of and allow for public input on any application for a license, notice of intent for transfer of ownership or notice of intent to sell or close any skilled nursing facility whether for-profit or non-profit.

SECTION 2:  The Department of Public Health, the Center for Health Information & Analysis, the Office of Elder Affairs, the Office of Medicaid and the Office of the Attorney General shall work together with all interested stakeholders to review and develop policy recommendations for improvements to the licensing of long term care facilities in the Commonwealth (105 CMR 150; 105 CMR 153), regulations concerning standard payments and cost reporting by nursing facilities (114.2 CMR 600) and the requirements for the provision of nursing-facility services under MassHealth (130 CMR 456).  Such recommendations shall include proposed amendments to these regulations to:

a)Provide more transparent, timely and complete public access to information concerning skilled nursing facility licensing, reimbursement and quality care standards; and

b)Improve the regulation and public reporting of information concerning transfers of licenses for, new ownership of, and the closure of skilled nursing facility licenses; and

c)Otherwise enhance the regulation of skilled nursing facilities in the Commonwealth.