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Bill

Bill

A 5635

Relates to requiring telephones capable of making local and long-distance telephone calls be in every nursing home patient's room

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Phara Souffrant Forrest

Bill A 5635 mandates telephones in every nursing home room for local and long-distance calls, enhancing communication and quality of life for residents.

REFERRED TO HEALTH
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Bill Summary · A 5635

Summary of Bill A 5635

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: A 5635
  • Title: Relates to requiring telephones capable of making local and long-distance telephone calls be in every nursing home patient's room
  • Status: Referred to Health Committee
  • Introduced On: February 18, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

Bill A 5635 aims to enhance communication accessibility for residents in nursing homes by mandating that each patient's room is equipped with a telephone capable of making both local and long-distance calls. The intent is to improve the quality of life for nursing home residents by ensuring they can maintain contact with family, friends, and healthcare providers, thereby promoting social interaction and emotional well-being.

Key Provisions

  • Mandatory Telephones: The bill requires that all nursing homes provide telephones in each patient's room that can make both local and long-distance calls.
  • Compliance Timeline: While the bill does not specify a compliance timeline in the provided information, it typically would include a timeframe for nursing homes to implement these requirements once the bill is enacted.
  • Quality of Life Considerations: The bill emphasizes the importance of communication in enhancing the quality of life for nursing home residents.

Affected Parties

  • Nursing Home Residents: The primary beneficiaries of this bill will be the residents of nursing homes, who will gain improved access to communication.
  • Nursing Home Facilities: Nursing homes will be required to make necessary adjustments to comply with the new regulations, which may involve financial implications for installation and maintenance of telephones.
  • Families and Caregivers: Families of nursing home residents will benefit from the increased ability to communicate with their loved ones.

Legislative Process

  • Current Status: As of February 18, 2025, the bill has been referred to the Health Committee for further consideration.
  • Related Bills:
    • A 8277: A prior-session bill that may have addressed similar issues.
    • S 5920: A companion bill in the Senate that could provide additional context or support for the provisions outlined in A 5635.

Conclusion

Bill A 5635 represents a significant step toward improving communication for nursing home residents, thereby aiming to enhance their overall quality of life. As it moves through the legislative process, further details regarding implementation and compliance will be critical for understanding its full impact.

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

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