Summary — HB 6913: Prohibiting Long-Term Care Facilities from Discriminating Against Residents
Status: Signed by Governor (Public Act 25‑17). Introduced: Feb 10, 2025.
Primary subjects: discrimination, sex and gender identity/expression, long‑term care facilities, patients’ rights, privacy, Long‑Term Care Ombudsman, Department of Public Health, occupational training.
Main purpose / intent
HB 6913 is intended to prohibit discrimination by long‑term care facilities against their residents. The bill targets discriminatory practices based on sex and gender identity or expression (and related protected characteristics listed in statute or agency guidance), and seeks to strengthen civil‑rights protections, privacy, and access to services for residents of nursing homes, assisted living and similar licensed long‑term care settings.
Key provisions (based on bill title and subject headings)
The full statutory text is not provided here; however, the bill’s title and listed subjects indicate the law does the following or directs related actions:
- Prohibits long‑term care facilities from discriminating against residents (in admission, treatment, retention, access to services, visitation or other rights) on prohibited grounds including sex and gender identity/expression.
- Emphasizes residents’ rights and privacy protections, including respecting identity and expression in care documentation and communications.
- Assigns oversight and complaint roles to existing entities such as the Long‑Term Care Ombudsman and the Department of Public Health (DPH).
- Signals requirements or encouragement for facility staff training (occupational training) in non‑discrimination and cultural competency related to sex/gender identity.
- Establishes or reinforces mechanisms for residents, family members, or advocates to report alleged discrimination and seek investigation or remedies through DPH, the Ombudsman, or other administrative routes.
Because the bill text is not included here, exact statutory phrasing, prohibited classes, remedies (civil penalties, injunctions, license actions), and effective dates should be confirmed in the enacted Public Act.
Who is affected
- Directly: residents of state‑licensed long‑term care facilities (nursing homes, certain assisted living programs).
- Indirectly: facility operators and staff (who must update policies, training, and recordkeeping), family members and visitors, the Long‑Term Care Ombudsman program, and the Department of Public Health (regulatory/enforcement responsibility).
Procedural / timeline highlights
- Introduced to Joint Committee on Aging: Feb 10, 2025; public hearing Feb 20.
- Favorable report and legislative moves through March–May 2025 (House and Senate amendments considered).
- Passed both chambers with amendments in May 2025.
- Transmitted to Governor May 22, 2025; transmitted to Secretary of the State May 30, 2025.
- Signed by Governor June 3, 2025 and enacted as Public Act 25‑17.
Recommendations for readers
To determine exact obligations, effective dates, enforcement mechanisms, and any regulatory guidance, consult:
- The enacted Public Act 25‑17 (full text),
- Department of Public Health rulemaking or guidance implementing the Act,
- Long‑Term Care Ombudsman materials on complaint procedures.
