Relating to pediatric palliative care centers, and including effective date provisions

This bill relates to pediatric palliative care centers (PPCCs). The bill defines “hospice patient” as an individual who is either an individual diagnosed by a physician as terminally ill with a probable life expectancy of one year or less, or an individual under years of age diagnosed with a chronic, complex, life-threatening illness that is expected to shorten the individual’s life expectancy, and who is not expected to survive past years of age. The bill defines “pediatric palliative care center” as a residential care facility that serves individuals under years of age, who have been diagnosed with a chronic, complex, life-threatening illness that is expected to shorten the individual’s life expectancy, and who are not expected to survive past years of age; and that only provides respite care services and hospice program services. Under current law, a residential care facility is not permitted to provide care and services to individuals who require the services of a registered or licensed practical nurse on a nonemergency basis. The bill exempts PPCCs from this restriction. The bill also exempts PPCCs from certificate of need requirements. The bill requires the department of health and human services to adopt rules for PPCCs that are consistent with requirements outlined in the bill. The bill shall be known as Mason’s Law.1 to allow a “hospice program” to take place at a PPCC.