Legislative Changes Affecting Adult Care Homes and Family Care Homes

Legislation was passed in June 2011 that affects several aspects of adult and family care home licensure. Please follow the links below to read the text of each new law. Questions can be mailed to: dhsr.adultcare.questions@lists.ncmail.net.

Session Law 2011-249/House Bill 397
Effective Date: June 23, 2011
Penalties and Remedies Concerning Health Facilities
New definitions of violation types, and a requirement to provide an immediate “plan of protection” when a violation has been identified.

Session Law 2011-272/House Bill 677
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
Discharge of Adult Care Home Residents
Establishes new “Adult Care Home Resident Discharge Team” and new admission and discharge procedures.

Session Law 2011-258/House Bill 808
Effective Date: October 1, 2011
Waive Annual Inspections Based on Star Ratings and Informal Dispute Resolution
Allows 4-star-rated communities to be inspected every other year, and establishes an Informal Dispute Resolution process to dispute deficiencies and violations.

Session Law 2011-99/House Bill 474
Effective Date: May 31, 2011 (to be phased in through 2013)
Infection Control Standards and Continuing Education, Training, and Competency of Medication Aides
Requirement to develop and update safe infection control procedures and policies; establishes additional requirements for med tech training and competency evaluation, as well as a required training for supervisors.