(a)  (1)  On or before May 1, 2001, the department shall determine the need, and provide subsequent recommendations, for any increase in the minimum number of nursing hours per patient day in skilled nursing facilities. The department shall analyze the relationship between staffing levels and quality of care in skilled nursing facilities. The analysis shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

(A)  A determination of average staffing levels in this state.

(B)  A review of facility expenditures on nursing staff, including salary, wages, and benefits.

(C)  A review of other states’ staffing requirements as relevant to this state.

(D)  A review of available research and reports on the issue of staffing levels and quality of care.

(E)  The number of Medi-Cal beds in a facility.

(F)  The corporate status of the facility.

(G)  Information on compliance with both state and federal standards.

(H)  Work force availability trends.

(2)  The department shall prepare a report on its analysis and recommendations and submit this report to the Legislature, including its recommendations for any staffing increases and proposed timeframes and costs for implementing any increase.

(b)  It is the intent of the Legislature to establish sufficient staffing levels required to provide quality skilled nursing care. It is further the intent of the Legislature to increase the minimum number of direct care nursing hours per patient day in skilled nursing facilities to 3.5 hours by 2004 or to whatever staffing levels the department determines are required to provide California nursing home residents with a safe environment and quality skilled nursing care.

(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 451, Sec. 7. Effective January 1, 2001.)