This Minnesota Senate bill (S.F. No. 1918) seeks to reform health-related provisions concerning electronic monitoring, retaliation protections, assisted living contracts, medication management, and patients' rights. Key components include:

1. Electronic Monitoring in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

   • Requires residents’ consent for electronic monitoring in their rooms.
     
   • Allows resident representatives to consent if the resident lacks capacity.
     
   • Mandates informing residents about monitoring details before implementation.

2. Protection Against Retaliation in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

   • Explicitly prohibits retaliation against residents, including discharge, discrimination, or restricted access to visitors.
     
   • Allows residents and legal representatives to sue nursing homes for retaliation.
     
   • Requires annual staff training on preventing retaliation.

3. Home Care and Assisted Living Program Advisory Council Expansion

   • Increases council membership from 13 to 15.
     
   • Expands its duties to include more oversight, quality improvement recommendations, and funding allocation strategies.

4. Modifications to the Hospice Bill of Rights

   • Ensures hospice patients' right to pain management, choice of providers, access to medical information, and protection from abuse.
     
   • Allows hospice patients to receive curative treatments for non-terminal conditions while on hospice care.

5. Prohibitions on Mandatory Binding Arbitration in Assisted Living Contracts

   • Prevents facilities from requiring residents to sign binding arbitration agreements as a condition of admission or continued care.
     
   • Mandates facilities to inform residents of their right to refuse arbitration agreements.

6. Medication Management in Assisted Living Facilities

   • Requires registered nurses or qualified staff to conduct medication management monitoring and reassessments.
     
   • Updates individualized medication management plans to enhance safety and accountability.
     
   • Establishes procedures for medication reconciliation when medications are modified.

7. Fines and Enforcement Against Home Care and Assisted Living Facilities

   • Revises fine structures, increasing penalties for violations based on severity and scope.
     
   • Directs fine revenue toward improving resident care and facility oversight.
     
   • Requires published reports on fines collected and their allocation.

8. Health Care Agents' Authority Limitations

   • Prohibits health care agents from restricting visits, communication, or social interactions without just cause.
     
   • Adds legal protections against undue restrictions by agents.

This bill aims to strengthen protections for nursing home and assisted living residents, enhance oversight and enforcement mechanisms, and improve accountability in health care settings.