(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Nursing home" has the same meaning as in section 3721.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Person-centered care" means a relationship-based approach to care that honors and respects the opinions of individuals receiving care and those working closely with them.

(B) The department of aging shall implement a nursing home quality initiative to improve the provision of person-centered care in nursing homes. The office of the state long-term care ombudsman program shall assist the department with the initiative. The initiative shall include quality improvement projects that provide nursing homes with resources and on-site education promoting person-centered care strategies and positive resident outcomes, as well as other assistance designed to improve the quality of nursing home services. The department may offer any of the projects.

(C) The department shall make available a list of quality improvement projects that may be used by nursing homes in meeting the requirements of section 3721.072 of the Revised Code. In addition to any of the projects offered by the department pursuant to division (B) of this section, the list may include projects offered by any of the following:

(1) Other state agencies;

(2) A quality improvement organization under contract with the United States secretary of health and human services to carry out in this state the functions described in the "Social Security Act," section 1154, 42 U.S.C. 1320c-3;

(3) The Ohio person-centered care coalition;

(4) Any other academic, research, or health care entity identified by the department.

(D) The director of aging may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as necessary to implement this section.

Added by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.