Prince George's County officials briefed the General Assembly Committee on March 11 about a proposed bill to strengthen oversight and transparency for assisted-living facilities in the county.

Background and amended bill: The original bill would have required mandated inspections every 60 days for assisted-living facilities located in Prince George's County. After council direction on Jan. 30, county sponsors scaled the measure back so it would require the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) to publish inspection findings on a public website rather than imposing a 60-day inspection mandate.

MDH response and current status: County staff reported that MDH told the county on Feb. 19 that implementing even the narrower reporting requirement could require additional MDH staff and therefore might have a fiscal impact. County staff offered a further narrowed amendment on Feb. 20 to limit what MDH would be required to publish; MDH nonetheless indicated potential cost implications. County staff reached out to the county's House delegation about whether a fiscal note would be required but said crossover timing makes enactment uncertain.

Request from council: Committee members asked staff to engage MDH in an off-cycle briefing for the full council so members could hear MDH's operational perspective and better understand the scope of reports and practical options for county oversight.

Next steps: County staff will continue to work with the delegation and MDH, and the committee requested a briefing to the full council after the budget season if needed.