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Bill Summary · HB 974

HB 974 — DHHS Study: Hospice Patient Complaints

Status: Passed 1st Reading
Introduced: November 12, 2024
Primary sponsor: Rep. G. Pierce (also listed sponsors in subsequent edition)
Subject areas: Health & Human Services; Hospices; Patient Rights; Public Reports/Studies

Purpose

Require the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to study how to improve hospice facility responsiveness and accountability for complaints filed by hospice patients and their families, and to recommend legislative or administrative changes as appropriate.

Key provisions

  • Directs DHHS to conduct a focused study on improving hospice responsiveness to patient and family complaints.
  • Study components must include:
    • Analysis of complaint data collected from hospice facilities, hospice patients, and patient families.
    • Stakeholder engagement with hospice administrators and relevant associations (explicitly names the Association for Home and Hospice Care of North Carolina as an example).
  • Required deliverable: a written report of findings and recommendations (including any legislative or administrative proposals).
  • Report recipients: Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division.
  • Report deadline: April 1, 2026.
  • Minimum content required in the report:
    • Summary of the most common complaints made by hospice patients and families.
    • Recommended best practices for hospice facilities covering:
    • Clear and accessible patient complaint procedures.
    • Timely and thorough investigation of complaints.
    • Open and effective communication with patients and families regarding complaints.
    • Ways to empower families as active members of the care team.
  • Effective date: When the act becomes law.

Who is affected

  • Primary: hospice care facilities operating in the State, hospice patients, and families.
  • Secondary: DHHS (responsible agency), legislators and oversight bodies (recipients of the report), and stakeholder organizations (to be consulted).
  • Potential downstream effects: adoption of new facility procedures, regulatory changes, or legislation based on study recommendations.

Timeline & procedural notes

  • DHHS begins the study upon enactment and must submit the final report by April 1, 2026.
  • The bill itself does not appropriate funding or specify additional enforcement authority; any resource needs or follow‑up actions would depend on DHHS implementation and subsequent legislative or administrative proposals.

Potential impact

If implemented, the study aims to identify common failure points in hospice complaint handling and propose concrete practices or policy changes to improve transparency, responsiveness, and family involvement—potentially leading to stronger oversight or standardized complaint procedures across hospice providers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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