The hearing for HB2520 was opened.

Carly Choi, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of HB2520 (Attachment 1). 

Chad Arndt, Owner, Sunflower Care Homes, provided proponent testimony on HB2520 (Attachment 2). Home Plus facilities are licensed as a long-term care provider and one class of an Adult Care Home. It currently is limited to 12 residents within one licensed building. The bill will allow expansion to 16 residents and still be considered a Home Plus. The Home Plus model is a desired form of long-term and dementia care for caregivers, families and residents. It provides a small home-like setting. Support for the change has been received from KDADS. The increase does not conflict with any current regulations with the State Fire Marshall and can remain in its current classification.

Mr. Arndt responded to questions from committee.

Amy Wiscombe, Executive Director and Co-Owner of a Home Plus, provided proponent testimony on HB2520 (Attachment 3). Ms. Wiscombe provided a personal story of her experience as a caregiver.  The Home Plus model of care is that of a big family providing person centered care. Ms. Wiscombe's facility has a waitlist and must turn people away. We are greatly underserving this population.

Ms. Wiscombe responded to questions from committee.

Lori Owens, Executive Director, Sunflower Care Homes, provided testimony in support of HB2520 (Attachment 4). Ms. Owens provided personal experiences with residents. There are waiting list for their facilities. The bill would allow the facilities to accept four more residents, which would allow for an additional 20 more residents. The bill would also allow for a better fighting chance with increase costs.

Sara Emig, Business Manager, Sunflower Care Homes, provided testimony in support of HB2520 (Attachment 5). As a business manager, Ms. Emig sees how the elderly population is underserved. Ms. Emig is also familiar with financial statements noting the lack of sufficient revenue to provide sustainable profit margins. Examples of rate increases were provided. The increase in revenue from the expanded capacity will make it possible to cover the increased operating costs.

Ms. Emig responded to questions from the committee.

Jessica Easterwood, Executive Director, Larksfield Place Assisted Living provided opponent testimony on HB2520 (Attachment 6). A Home Plus is intentionally designed to be a small, residential style care setting. Increasing the capacity to 16 residents fundamentally alters the nature of the model. Ms. Easterwood provided staffing and safety concerns if the limit was raised to 16. There is also a concern with care acuity and regulatory oversight. The integrity of care models should be preserved.

Ms. Easterwood responded to questions from the committee.

Haely Ordoyne, State Long-term Care Ombudsman, provided testimony in opposition to HB2520 (Attachment 7). The bill does nothing to protect the integrity of the Home Plus model. The staffing ratios for increased capacity are not in the bill. Nor does the increase in revenue do anything to improve the quality of the resident care. This looks like it is only being done to increase revenue.

Ms. Ordoyne responded to questions from the committee.

Kylee Childs, Director of Government Affairs, LeadingAge Kansas, provided neutral testimony on HB2520 (Attachment 8). At issue is that the bill is blurring the licensure categories and regulatory intent. There are also life safety and fire marshal implications. There is a concern regarding staffing and operational pressures with the increase. There are also concerns regarding physical plant and zoning limitations.

Ms. Childs responded to questions from the committee.

The following provided neutral written only testimony:

Lacey Hunter, Commissioner, Survey, Certification, and Credentialing, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (Attachment 9)

The hearing was closed on HB2520.