(a) A special treatment program service unit distinct part shall have a minimum 2.3 nursing hours per patient per day.

(b) For purposes of this section, “special treatment program service unit distinct part” means an identifiable and physically separate unit of a skilled nursing facility or an entire skilled nursing facility that provides therapeutic programs to an identified population group of persons with mental health disorders.

(c) For purposes of this section, “nursing hours” means the number of hours of work performed per patient day by aides, nursing assistants, or orderlies, plus two times the number of hours worked per patient day by registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses (except directors of nursing in facilities of 60 or larger capacity), and, in the distinct part of facilities and freestanding facilities providing care for persons with developmental disabilities or mental health disorders, by licensed psychiatric technicians who perform direct nursing services for patients in skilled nursing and intermediate care facilities, except when the skilled nursing and intermediate care facility is licensed as a part of a state hospital.

(d) A special treatment program service unit distinct part shall also have an overall average weekly staffing level of 3.2 hours per patient per day, calculated without regard to the doubling of nursing hours, as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 1276.5, for the special treatment program service unit distinct part.

(e) The calculation of the overall staffing levels in these facilities for the special treatment program service unit distinct part shall include staff from all of the following categories:

(1) Certified nurse assistants.

(2) Licensed vocational nurses.

(3) Registered nurses.

(4) Licensed psychiatric technicians.

(5) Psychiatrists.

(6) Psychologists.

(7) Social workers.

(8) Program staff who provide rehabilitation, counseling, or other therapeutic services.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 144, Sec. 30. (AB 1847) Effective January 1, 2015.)