There is no pending California or federal legislation that would directly address the misuse of psychoactive drugs by nursing homes or other types of long term care facilities. However, there are numerous existing laws on this subject. Current laws are summarized in CANHR’s consumer guide, Toxic Medicine: What You Should Know to Fight the Misuse of Psychoactive Drugs in California Nursing Homes.
In 2009, CANHR sponsored a landmark bill, SB 303 (Alquist), to codify and strengthen existing California rules requiring doctors to inform residents and their representatives about the dangers of mind-altering drugs and requiring nursing homes to verify that residents or their representatives had given consent before these drugs could be used. SB 303 required physicians to provide pertinent FDA warnings in writing and prohibited nursing home staff from implementing psychoactive drug orders if the resident or resident’s representative indicated that they had not given consent or had other concerns.
The California legislature passed SB 303 by a wide margin but it was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger. In his veto message, the Governor admitted that misuse of antipsychotic drugs is a pervasive problem in nursing homes. He cited a recent study that found more than half of residents on antipsychotics are being drugged outside federal guidelines, yet vetoed the bill anyway. The Governor gave no explanation for his veto, which put the interests of substandard nursing homes and unethical doctors above elderly and disabled nursing home residents.
CANHR is committed to pursuing legislative solutions to nursing home drugging and is considering legislative options for 2011.
SB 303 and Legislative History
Senator Alquist’s Fact Sheet on SB 303
CANHR’s Support Letter on SB 303
CANHR’s Letter to Governor Schwarzenegger on SB 303
Governor Schwarzenegger’s Veto Message
CANHR’s Response to Govenor’s Veto
Sign our Petition and Join CANHR’s Campaign Against Drugging
Below you will find links to many of the relevant laws and regulations having to do with drugging of nursing home residents.
Key:
USC – United States Code
CFR – Code of Federal Regulations
H&S – Code California Health and Safety Code
To read the following laws and regulations, click on the category.
22 CCR §§ 72527(a)(3), (4) & (5), 72527(e) & 72528; H&S Code §§ 1418.8 & 1418.9; 42 USC §§ 1395i-3(c)(1)(A)(i) & 1396r(c)(1)(A)(i); 42 CFR §§ 483.10(d) & 483.10(b)
Laws on the right to refuse care and treatment:
22 CCR §§72527(a)(4) & 72528(b)(6), H&S Code §1599.72; 42 CFR §483.10(b)(4)
Laws authorizing representatives to exercise rights:
22 CCR §72527(c)&(d), H&S Code §§1599.3 & 1418.8(c), 42 CFR §483.10(a)(3) & (4); 42 USC §1396r(c)(1)(C)
Laws prohibiting chemical restraint:
22 CCR §§72527 (a)(23) & 72018; H&S Code 1180.4(k); 42 CFR §483.13(a); 42 USC §§ 1395i-3(c)(1)(A)(ii) & 1396r(c)(1)(A)(ii); 22 CCR §72319
Laws on unnecessary drugs and gradual dose reduction:
42 CFR §483.25(l); 42 USC §1396r(c)(1)(D)
Laws requiring care and services for mental or psychosocial adjustment difficulties:
42 CFR §483.25(f); 42 USC §§ 1395i-3(b)(2) & (4) and 1396r(b)(2) & (4)
Laws on the right to review and obtain medical records:
42 USC §§1395i-3(c)(1)(A)(iv) and 1396r(c)(1)(A)(iv); 42 CFR §483.10 (b); H&S Code §§123100-123149.5
