This Fiscal Note is not an official copy and should not be quoted or cited.
Fiscal Note - SB 0292 - Prohibits health care facilities from retaliating against employees who report abuses by the facility
SB 292 - Fiscal Note

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH

OVERSIGHT DIVISION

FISCAL NOTE

L.R. NO.: 1449-01

BILL NO.: SB 292

SUBJECT: Health Care

TYPE: Original

DATE: February 1, 1999


FISCAL SUMMARY

ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON STATE FUNDS

FUND AFFECTED FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
None
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

State Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON FEDERAL FUNDS

FUND AFFECTED FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
None $0 $0 $0
Total Estimated

Net Effect on All

Federal Funds

$0 $0 $0



ESTIMATED NET EFFECT ON LOCAL FUNDS

FUND AFFECTED FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
Local Government $0 $0 $0



Numbers within parentheses: ( ) indicate costs or losses

This fiscal note contains 3 pages.

FISCAL ANALYSIS

ASSUMPTION

The Department of Social Services, Department of Mental Health, Department of Health, and Department of Labor assume this proposal would not fiscally impact their agencies.



FISCAL IMPACT - State Government FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
(10 Mo.)
0 0 0
FISCAL IMPACT - Local Government FY 2000 FY 2001 FY 2002
(10 Mo.)
0 0 0
FISCAL IMPACT - Small Business
No direct fiscal impact to small businesses would be expected as a result of this proposal.


DESCRIPTION

This proposal prohibits health care facilities from retaliating against an employee for reporting abuses. Any employee of a health care facility who knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the quality of care or safety has been compromised may report the problem to the facility or to the Department of Health, Division of Aging, or other appropriate agency. Any administrator or supervisor who receives such a report must investigate the problem, take action, and respond to the individual reporting it within seven days. The proposal also prohibits any health care facility from discouraging the report in any way or retaliating against the employee for making the report. Reports must be made by employees in good faith and no notice is required before making a report. In addition, confidentiality should be maintained at all times. As a condition of licensure, all health care facilities must abide by the terms in this section.

This legislation is not federally mandated, would not duplicate any other program and would not require additional capital improvements or rental space.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Department of Health

Department of Social Services

Department of Mental Health

Department of Labor







Jeanne Jarrett, CPA

Director

February 1, 1999