Highlights of bills tracked by VHCA-VCAL.

LPN PPD and Adult Vaccine Administration – HB 2301 Del. John O’Bannon’s (R-Henrico) bill to allow licensed practical nurses to administer vaccines to adults and conduct tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) testing without the immediate and direct supervision of a registered nurse has been favorably reported by the House Health, Welfare and Institutions (HWI) Committee.  It now heads for a vote by the whole House of Delegates.  VHCA-VCAL supports this change to make it easier for an LPN to provide these services in long term care settings.

Advance Medical Directives – HB1747 and SB1242 would broaden who can assist individuals with completing advance medical directives.  VHCA-VCAL supports the measures.  The bills have been introduced by Del. O’Bannon and Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant (R-Henrico), respectively.  Both have been favorably considered at the committee level.

Durable Do Not Resuscitate Orders – HB 2153 This bill introduced by Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke) would establish state reciprocity for Durable Do Not Resuscitate (DDNR) orders or other order regarding life-sustaining treatment executed in accordance with the laws of another state.  Such orders would be deemed to be valid and given full effect in the Commonwealth.  VHCA-VCAL supports the bill, which was reported unanimously by the HWI Committee.

Nursing Facility Family Councils – HB 2072 Introduced by Del. Vivian Watts (D-Annandale), this bill would provide rights to a resident’s family to meet in the facility with the families of other residents of the facility by attending meetings of the family council without restriction.  On Thursday the bill was reported with a unanimous vote by the HWI Committee. VHCA-VCAL is working with Del. Watts on some technical amendments to address potential unintended consequences in the legislation.

Increase in the cap on civil penalties for assisted living facilities Two bills, HB 1919 and SB 1191 would increase the aggregate amount of civil penalties that the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services may assess against an assisted living facility for noncompliance with the terms of its license from $10,000 per 24-month period to $10,000 per 12-month period.  HB 1919, introduced by Del. Roxann Robinson (R-Chesterfield), was favorably reported by HWI subcommittee #2 and will be considered by the full committee.  SB 1191 was introduced by Sen. Glen Sturtevant (R-Midlothian) and referred to the Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services.  They will be considered on January 27.