Tennessee House Bill HB2334

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/24
• Refer: 3/13/24
• Failed: 3/26/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 33; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to services for the elderly and individuals with disabilities.

Impact

The bill is designed to enhance the existing regulatory framework governing healthcare facilities that serve the elderly and individuals with disabilities. By requiring compliance reports to be submitted annually and made publicly accessible, HB2334 aims to ensure that these facilities meet certain standards necessary for health and safety. This transparency could lead to increased scrutiny of facilities that are not adhering to the regulations, potentially prompting improvements in service quality across the board.

Summary

House Bill 2334 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to improve the oversight of services provided to the elderly and individuals with disabilities. This legislation specifically mandates the Department of Health, in conjunction with the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, to submit annual reports starting February 1, 2025. These reports will detail the level of compliance of healthcare facilities in the state that offer services to these vulnerable populations. Such a requirement emphasizes accountability in the sector responsible for elderly and disability care, promoting transparency regarding the standards of care provided.

Contention

While the bill presents a positive step toward increased oversight and accountability, there could be concerns regarding the burden of reporting on healthcare facilities. Facilities may argue that the requirement for annual reporting adds an administrative strain, diverting resources away from patient care. Additionally, some stakeholders may question the sufficiency of these reports in truly capturing the quality of care provided, as there might be nuances and complexities in individual cases that a broad compliance report cannot address.