SF 1581 creates a licensing requirement for prescribed pediatric extended care centers effective February 1, 2019.

Section 1 adds a cross-reference in the government data practices act to the classification of prescribed pediatric extended care center background study data.

Section 2 requires background studies of owners, employees, and contractors of prescribed pediatric extended care centers.

Section 3 defines terms for a new chapter of law, Chapter144H.  Defined terms include “basic services,” “commissioner,” “licensee,” “medically complex or technologically dependent child,” “owner,” “prescribed pediatric extended care center,” and “supportive services or contracted services.”

Section 4 establishes a licensing requirement for the ownership and operation of a prescribed pediatric extended care center, specifies the conditions under which multiple licenses are required, and prohibits prescribed pediatric extended care centers from being located on the same grounds as a child care center.

Section 5 exempts federal facilities and facilities licensed under Chapter 144 or 144A from prescribed pediatric extended care center licensing requirements.

Section 6 described the licensing and license renewal process and specifies that licenses are nontransferable.

Section 7 requires unspecified licensing fees, renewal fees, and late application or renewal fees.

Section 8 directs the commission of health to adopt rules for the implementation of this new chapter.

Section 9 specifies the services that may be provided in a prescribed pediatric extended care center as well as limitations on those services.  Services may only be provided children with medically complex needs or who are technologically dependent and for no more than 14 hours within a 24 hour period.  The facility may operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Section 10 specifies the duties of the owner and requires the owner to designate an administrator, whose duties are also specified.

Section 11 requires background checks of owners, administrators, employees, and contractors and classifies background study data as private.

Section 12 requires prescribed pediatric extended care centers to have policies and procedures governing admission, transfer, and discharge, and requires parents or guardians to give consent upon admission to the center.

Section 13 requires the center to have a board-certified pediatrician as a medical director.

Section 14 requires a center to have a nursing director who is a registered nurse and specifies the requirements for other licensed and unlicensed direct care personnel employed by the center.

Section 15 specifies that one staff person to three children is the minimal staffing requirements for a center.

Section 16 requires a medical record and individual nursing protocol for each child.

Section 17 requires a center to implement a quality assurance program.

Section 18 requires the commissioner of health to inspect a center before issuing or renewing a license.

Section 19 requires centers to comply with the maltreatment of minors act and statutory crib safety requirements.

Section 20 specifies conditions under which the commissioner may deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew a license and provides for a hearing and review of any adverse licensing decision.

Section 21 permits the commission to impose corrective action plans and fines for a center’s failure to meet the licensing requirements.

Section 22 specifies that operating a prescribed pediatric extended care center without a license is a misdemeanor.

Section 23 requires a center to give clients 30-days’ notice before closing.

Sections 24 – 27 add conforming cross-references to the maltreatment of minors act.