ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
nursing care institutions;
audit
Requires the Office of the
Auditor General (OAG) to conduct an audit of the Division of Assurance and
Licensure Services (ALS) in the Department of Health Services to determine the
effectiveness of ALS’ regulation of nursing care institutions.
ALS is responsible for protecting the public’s health, safety and welfare by licensing and regulating facilities that provide health and child care services. ALS’ regulatory duties include licensing and inspecting facilities, investigating complaints and enforcing licensing standards. Nursing care institutions are included among the various types of facilities ALS is responsible for regulating. According ALS, there are 158 licensed nursing care institutions in Arizona with a total of 18,035 beds.
In September 1998, the OAG conducted a performance audit of ALS. The findings and recommendations of the audit did not directly focus on the licensure and regulation of nursing care institutions. S.B. 1307 requires the OAG to conduct an additional audit of ALS, specifically to examine its regulation of nursing care institutions.
According to the OAG, the work relating to the requirements of this legislation can be absorbed in the next auditing cycle.
Provisions
1. Requires the OAG to conduct an audit of ALS to determine the effectiveness of ALS’ regulation of nursing care institutions.
2. Requires the OAG to complete the audit by December 30, 2002.
3. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments
Passed by Senate Health Committee
Extends the deadline for the audit from December 30, 2001 to December 30, 2002.
Senate Action
HEALTH 2/6/01 DPA 7-0-1
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 7, 2001