CHAPTER 72
FORMERLY
SENATE BILL NO. 131
AS AMENDED BY
SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 16 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE POWERS, DUTIES, REGULATIONS AND ORDERS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:
Section 1. Amend § 122(3), Title 16 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions shown by underline as follows and re-letter accordingly:
§ 122 Powers and duties of the Department of Health and Social Services
The Department shall have the following general powers and duties:
(3) Adopt, promulgate, amend, and repeal regulations consistent with law, which regulations shall not extend, modify or conflict with any law of this State or the reasonable implications thereof, and which shall be enforced by all state and local public health officials, to:
aa. Establish standards for public health quality assurance in the operation of dialysis centers and regulate the public health practice of such programs, which shall include but not be limited to a standard requirement for appropriate emergency energy sources capable of use for at least 48 hours and at least a monthly test of those emergency sources. all dialysis machines to be connected to an emergency power source so that all dialysis machines will operate for at least four (4) hours following a power shutdown or outage. In addition, the emergency power source must be in working condition at all times and the dialysis center must conduct and document at least a monthly test of those emergency power sources. For purposes of this section, a "dialysis center" means a facility an independent or hospital-based unit facility approved to furnish outpatient dialysis services directly to end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients maintenance dialysis services, or home dialysis training and support services, or both to end stage renal disease patients. Outpatient dialysis includes staff-assisted dialysis (dialysis performed by the staff of the facility) and self-dialysis (dialysis performed with little or no professional assistance by an ESRD patient who has completed an appropriate course of training). ESRD is that stage of renal impairment that appears irreversible and permanent, and requires a regular course of dialysis or kidney transplantation to maintain life. To perform these functions, the Division of Public Health shall have the authority to collect and retain reasonable fees necessary to defray costs of these functions. At all times there must be a facility that meets the requirements of this section in each of the following locations: the City of Wilmington, New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County. Dialysis centers operating as of July 1, 2015 are to be compliant with all aspects of this section immediately but may be granted a hardship exemption to immediate compliance but only until at the latest January 1, 2021. Hardship exemptions may be granted for facilities in long term leases, other issues regarding real estate, and any other reason as determined by the Department of Health and Social Services. Dialysis centers that are newly constructed or relocated after July 1, 2015 must be compliant with all aspects of this section prior to occupancy.
Section 2. This Act shall be effective January 1, 2016.
Approved June 30, 2015