SB 522 - This act provides for an informal dispute resolution for long-term care facilities to contest deficiency statements stemming from inspections or complaint investigations conducted by the Department of Health and Senior Services. Such challenges shall be conducted by an impartial hearing officer. The hearing officers shall be licensed lawyers and other non-lawyer professionals who have experience or who have completed training in the areas of mediation or arbitration. The process shall consist of a facility filing a written request to informally contest the deficiency statements conducted by the department. The informal dispute resolution process shall be conducted such that the process will not delay the formal imposition of remedies. The decisions issued by the officer may reverse or modify the formal imposition of remedies and shall be issued within a reasonable time of the hearing. This act also references the informal dispute resolution process in other sections dealing with inspection and inspection records requirements. ADRIANE CROUSE