New measures designed to strengthen transparency requirements in nursing homes and long-term residential care facilities in New York are now in effect. 

The measures include requiring the facilities provide residents and their families with a document outlining how information on complaints, citations, inspections and enforcement actions can be found. The measure dovetails with a bill approved by Gov. Kathy Hochul last week that requires nursing homes to display their most recent rating from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the homepage of their website. 

Assemblywoman Monica Wallace sponsored both measures. 

“In order to make an informed decision when placing a loved one in a residential healthcare facility, families deserve to know that facility’s track record in following laws and regulations meant to protect its residents,” Wallace said. “These laws will ensure families have access to critical information when deciding which facility can best care for their loved one.”

The new laws come amid ongoing concerns for nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The facilities in New York were hit hard early during the crisis, and state health officials as well as lawmakers have called for ways of boosting safety amid the ongoing pandemic. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a number of serious, underlying issues in our long-term care system,” Wallace said. “That’s why we’re taking action to address the root causes of the problems in our nursing homes to ensure residents receive adequate care, families are informed and empowered, and facilities are better prepared for the next public health crisis.”