§ 5-109 — Communication quality improvement payments

Payments will be awarded to facilities on a per bed basis with the funded appropriation for Fiscal Year 2022 divided by the number of licensed beds in each facility. Facilities will receive an equal amount for every licensed bed from the amount appropriated. Facilities shall use these funds for improvements to their facilities that increase access to digital communications or facilitate safe and private personal communications. Funding may be used for, but are not limited to, the following: the purchase of personal communication devices for facility use, the enhancement of broadband access and bandwidth, and the establishment or improvement of general meeting areas for the benefit of residents and employees. Facilities must attest to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services that the funding was utilized for the purpose of communication, technological improvements, or facility training aid. If the facility does not attest to the usage of the payments or cannot document the usage of payments the Department shall recoup the expenditure of funds by withholding payment of rate.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 102-16, eff. 6-17-21.)