An Act to create 20.435 (7) (bm) and 146.619 of the statutes; Relating to: grants for patient lift devices and making an appropriation. (FE)
Summary
SB1020 creates a new Department of Health Services grant program to help certain long-term care and residential care providers buy patient lift devices. Eligible applicants include adult family homes, community-based residential facilities, nursing homes, and residential care apartment complexes. The bill directs DHS to establish application criteria, award grants, and approve the types of lift devices that may be purchased with grant funds. The devices must be capable of mechanically lifting a person and must be usable independently by a patient or resident, as well as by or with assistance from facility staff.
The bill also creates a continuing appropriation for the program and sets aside $300,000 in general purpose revenue for fiscal year 2025-26, with no amount scheduled for 2026-27. DHS may spend up to $100,000 of the appropriation on data collection and analysis, and grant recipients must report data in a form and manner specified by the department. DHS may contract with a third party to help collect and analyze that data. The program is intended to support both equipment purchases and evaluation of program outcomes.
Impact
SB1020 would add a new statutory section, s. 146.619, and a related appropriation line in s. 20.435 (7) (bm), thereby giving DHS explicit authority to administer a patient lift devices grant program. It would affect licensed residential care settings by creating a new funding opportunity for equipment purchases, while also imposing reporting obligations on grant recipients. The bill would not broadly alter facility licensing standards, but it would create a new state-funded assistance program tied to elder care, disability services, and safe patient handling equipment.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no documented debate or formal opposition in the materials provided. Based on the bill text, the measure appears generally supportive of long-term care facilities and resident care needs, with a practical focus on improving access to lift equipment and collecting data on its use. The introduction by multiple senators and representatives suggests at least some bipartisan or cross-chamber interest, but the official sentiment in discussion cannot be assessed from the record provided.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the supplied transcripts or votes. Potential issues implied by the bill itself include whether the $300,000 appropriation is sufficient, how DHS will define eligible devices and award criteria, and whether the required data reporting could create administrative burdens for facilities. Another possible area of concern is the cap of $100,000 for data collection and analysis, which may affect how much of the appropriation reaches direct grants versus program administration.
Crossfiled
An Act to create 20.435 (7) (bm) and 146.619 of the statutes; Relating to: grants for patient lift devices and making an appropriation. (FE)
Making Appropriations To Provide For The Expenses Of The Legislature, The Auditor, The Legislative Reference Bureau, The Ombudsman, And The Ethics Commission.
Establishing a publicly financed health care plan for residents of this state, creating the office of the ombudsman for patient advocacy, granting rule-making authority, and making an appropriation.
Appropriations: department of lifelong education, advancement, and potential; appropriations for fiscal year 2025-2026; provide for. Creates appropriation act.
Making Appropriations To Provide For The Expenses Of The Legislature, The Auditor, The Legislative Reference Bureau, The Ombudsman, And The Ethics Commission.