Chapter 296 Oregon Laws 2011

 

AN ACT

 

HB 3208

 

Relating to Oregon Veterans’ Homes; creating new provisions; amending ORS 408.385; and declaring an emergency.

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

          SECTION 1. ORS 408.385 is amended to read:

          408.385. (1) The [State of Oregon and the] Director of Veterans’ Affairs [shall] may not establish more than two Oregon Veterans’ Homes until the two facilities authorized by law on July 17, 1995, are constructed and have provided services to patients for a period of time that is sufficient to allow a determination to be made concerning the effectiveness and efficiency of the facilities in providing for the needs of the veterans of Oregon for long term care. [Nothing in this section shall be construed to support any further consideration for additional veterans’ homes.]

          (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1) of this section, if the director determines that the two facilities authorized by law on July 17, 1995, will not be sufficient to provide for the needs of the veterans of Oregon, the director may begin planning for and developing two additional Oregon Veterans’ Homes.

 

          SECTION 2. (1) The Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall enter into a contract to conduct a statewide study to determine the number of skilled nursing beds needed to meet the current and future needs of veterans for skilled nursing care. The study shall determine, for the 20 years after the date the study is commenced:

          (a) The number of veterans needing skilled nursing care, including veterans needing skilled nursing care because of Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia;

          (b) Regional catchment areas for provision of services to veterans and the number of veterans within each catchment area who may need skilled nursing care; and

          (c) The number of veterans needing skilled nursing care whose care could be provided through community care.

          (2) The department shall report on the study to the Legislative Assembly in the manner provided in ORS 192.245 on or before May 31, 2015.

 

          SECTION 3. Section 2 of this 2011 Act is repealed on January 2, 2016.

 

          SECTION 4. This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect on its passage.

 

Approved by the Governor June 9, 2011

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State June 9, 2011

 

Effective date June 9, 2011

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