Civil money penalties expected to double for Va. assisted living

Deficiencies could cost Virginia’s assisted living facilities a lot more money if commonwealth legislators have their way. A bill to raise the maximum penalty amounts to $10,000 per year—double the current amounts—has passed both chambers of the Virginia General Assembly and awaits the governor’s signature.

Separately, the Virginia Board of Social Services approved new regulations Wednesday for assisted living staffing. The new rules would require a minimum of two direct care staff members on duty for 1-20 residents, and an additional staff member for every 1-10 additional residents, according to a CBS TV-6 report. Currently, the Virginia law requires only two direct care staffers on duty, regardless of how many residents are in the facility. The proposed regulations will be reviewed by the Governor’s office later this spring.

Pamela Tabar

Pamela Tabar was editor-in-chief of I Advance Senior Care from 2013-2018. She has worked as a writer and editor for healthcare business media since 1998, including as News Editor of Healthcare Informatics. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University and a master’s degree in English from the University of York, England.