A bill moving through the N.C. Senate would eliminate some inspections of adult care homes that a powerful Republican legislator says are unnecessary and duplicative.
Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett), sponsor of Senate Bill 863, said the bill grew from talks with home operators. Burgin said he does not want to compromise safety, but that too many state and local agencies have overlapping inspection responsibilities.
Sen. Jim Burgin (Photo: NCGA)“When we’re inspecting for pest control eight times, we need to have a conversation,” Burgin told the Senate Health Care Committee, which endorsed the bill Wednesday.
Burgin said the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has concerns about the bill. Janssen White, DHHS assistant secretary for government affairs, would not answer questions about the bill after the committee meeting and directed reporters to the agency’s communications office.
In an emailed statement, DHHS said that with any legislation about adult care homes, “we want to ensure there is no negative impact on resident safety at these facilities. NCDHHS will continue to work collaboratively with our partners at the NCGA throughout the legislative process.”
Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe) suggested the bill be sent to a study committee or an oversight committee to examine the issue and dig into the details.
“I think I understand what you’re trying to do,” she said. “This also seems very broad.”
The committee did not act on her suggestion.
Work on the bill will continue, Burgin said, and it is likely to change.
Adult care homes are for people who have difficulty with “activities of daily living” such as eating, bathing, or dressing. They are also home to people with cognitive impairments that may jeopardize their safety.
State appeals court rules DHHS can be held liable for both lax and overzealous adult care home oversight
A division of DHHS is responsible for routine inspections and for investigating complaints. Adult care homes are also inspected by multiple state and local agencies that check for working fire alarms and sprinkler systems, cleanliness, and health and safety issues, according to information Burgin provided.
Under the bill, if an adult care home passes an inspection by the Adult Care Licensure Section at DHHS, the results are good for three months. Those results would be accepted by other state or local agency looking to do a similar inspection.
Burgin said the bill is directed at non-emergency inspections, and investigations into complaints would remain unchanged.
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