This All Facilities Letter (AFL) provides notice of the enactment of Senate Bill 1228 (Chapter 671, Statutes 2012, effective January 1, 2013), which added the small house skilled nursing facility (SHSNF) as a sub-type of skilled nursing facilities licensed in California. The legislation also authorized the establishment of the Small House Skilled Nursing Facility Pilot Program.

The pilot program permits the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to authorize and license up to ten pilot SHSNFs. Standards for the development and operation of those pilot facilities will be published, together with the program’s application process, by AFL no later than July 1, 2013.

In order to obtain input, as required by SB 1228, from interested parties regarding the development of SHSNF standards and criteria, Licensing and Certification (L&C) has convened a stakeholder group that will have ongoing participation throughout the standards-setting process. In addition, an in-house workgroup has also been formed by L&C with subgroups focusing on specific types of standards to be set forth in future AFL(s).

If you have questions regarding any of the matters discussed in this AFL please contact your local district office.

Sincerely,

Original signed by Pamela Dickfoss for

Debby Rogers, RN, MS, FAEN
Deputy Director