VETERANS FACILITY REPORT TO LEGISLATURE

House Bill 5639 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Holly Hughes

Committee:  Oversight and Ethics

Complete to 5-25-16

SUMMARY:

The bill would require quarterly reports to the legislature on the State Veterans Facility by state Veterans Affairs officials.

No later than January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, its successor agency, or the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs would have to report in writing all of the following information concerning the State Veterans Facility to the Senate and House committees on veterans affairs and the Senate and House Appropriations subcommittees for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs:

o   Staffing levels and the extent to which staffing levels do or do not meet industry standards.

o   Number of patient complaints, average time to review a complaint and respond, and response to each complaint.

o   Timeliness of distribution of pharmaceutical drugs.

o   Security provided for pharmaceutical drugs in the facility, including the title of the individuals providing the security.

o   How patient money is accounted for, including the name and title of the individual who supervises patient spending accounts.

o   Number of facility resident deaths that occurred since the most recent report.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

FISCAL IMPACT:

This bill would have a nominal fiscal impact on the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs resulting from the requirement to compile and report the requested information.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Chris Couch

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Kent Dell

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.