SECTION 1. The department of public health shall use Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) monies as authorized under 42 USC 488.433 federal law, to establish an Infection Preventionist training grant program for certified nursing facilities. Per §483.80(b)(4) under the State Operations Manual Appendix PP - Guidance to Surveyors for Long Term Care Facilities, Infection Preventionist must have completed specialized training in infection prevention and control. The grant should be sufficient to cover costs associated with nationally recognized, clinically robust training and education for Infection Preventionists.

SECTION 2. Chapter 118E of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 79 the following 2 sections:-

Section 80: In setting reimbursement rates for nursing homes, the executive office of health and human services shall reimburse facilities for compensation to employ a full-time Infection Preventionist.

Section 81. The executive office of health and human services shall provide supplemental payments to licensed nursing facilities that consistent with guidelines established by the executive office of health and human services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services establish isolation and quarantine rooms in order to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Daily payment for isolation rooms shall be no less than the facility’s average Medicaid daily rate for every isolation and quarantine room.