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Bill

Bill

A 2491

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 Scott Bendett

Bill A 2491 aimed to require telephones in every nursing home room for better resident communication, enhancing connectivity with family and emergency services.

ENACTING CLAUSE STRICKEN
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Bill Summary · A 2491

Summary of Bill A 2491

Bill Overview

Bill Number: A 2491
Title: Relates to requiring telephones capable of making local and long-distance telephone calls be in every nursing home patient's room
Status: Enacting clause stricken
Introduced: January 17, 2025
Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of Bill A 2491 was to mandate that all nursing homes provide telephones in each patient's room that are capable of making both local and long-distance calls. The intent behind this legislation was to enhance communication for nursing home residents, ensuring they have the ability to stay connected with family, friends, and emergency services.

Key Provisions

  • Telephone Requirement: The bill proposed that every nursing home must equip each patient’s room with a telephone that allows for both local and long-distance calls.
  • Accessibility: The provision aimed to improve accessibility for residents, particularly for those who may have mobility issues or other challenges that make it difficult to access communal phones.

Impact

  • Affected Parties: The legislation would have impacted nursing homes across the jurisdiction, requiring them to install and maintain telephones in patient rooms. This change would have directly benefited nursing home residents by providing them with greater autonomy and connectivity.
  • Potential Costs: While the bill did not specify funding mechanisms or cost implications, nursing homes would likely incur expenses related to the installation and maintenance of these telephones.

Legislative Actions

  • January 17, 2025: The bill was introduced and referred to the Health Committee for consideration.
  • February 4, 2025: The enacting clause was stricken, effectively halting the bill's progress and implementation.

Related Bills

  • A 8277: This bill was noted as a related measure from a prior legislative session, indicating ongoing discussions or attempts to address similar issues regarding communication in nursing homes.

Conclusion

While Bill A 2491 aimed to improve the quality of life for nursing home residents by ensuring access to telephones, its progress was halted early in the legislative process. The stricken enacting clause signifies that the bill will not advance further, leaving the communication needs of nursing home residents unaddressed by this specific legislative effort.

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

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