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Conferees split on ban on requiring conservator or guardian as nursing‑home admission condition
Summary
The conference committee debated language that would prohibit nursing homes from requiring a conservator or guardian as a condition of admission. The house had removed similar language earlier; conferees discussed individual assessment versus a blanket ban and agreed to revisit the issue.
The conference committee considered a proposal that would bar nursing homes from requiring a current or prospective resident to have a conservator or guardian as a condition of admission.
Senator McQuaid introduced the language, saying it would prevent facilities from demanding that residents sign away decision‑making authority simply to obtain care. Representative Schumacher and other conferees opposed a blanket prohibition, arguing that in some cases facilities need individualized determinations because family involvement varies and some residents may lack necessary supports.
Nonpartisan staff told the committee the house does not currently have companion language on guardianship in the bill; the provision had been part of earlier house discussions but was amended out. Committee members discussed drafting compromise language that would prohibit blanket admission policies while allowing case‑by‑case evaluation when appropriate. Several conferees suggested requiring facilities to document individualized determinations rather than imposing a categorical rule.
No final adoption was recorded during this sitting. Members signaled willingness to draft narrower, case‑by‑case language and to revisit the topic later the same day to try to reach agreement.
