An administrative law judge said that 14 rule provisions introduced by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs in April were “invalid exercises of delegated legislative authority,” according to an article on the McKnight's Senior Living website.
Some of the provisions invalidated include:
• A requirement to be generally aware at all times of the location of residents at high risk of elopement.
• A requirement that healthcare providers, instead of facility staff members, assess a resident's elopement risk.
• A proposed rule that would have required hand-washing by staff members after every resident contact.
The judge dismissed challenges to three amendments related to medication practices, staff training and staffing standards, however.