SEC. 1416. ENSURING STAFFING ACCOUNTABILITY.

[a] Skilled Nursing Facilities- Section- 1819[b][8] of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1395i-3[b][8]] is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

'[C] SUBMISSION OF STAFFING INFORMATION BASED ON PAYROLL DATA IN A UNIFORM FORMAT- Beginning not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, and after consulting with

State long-term care ombudsman programs, consumer advocacy groups, provider stakeholder groups, employees and their representatives, and other parties the Secretary deems appropriate, the Secretary shall require a skilled nursing facility to electronically submit to the Secretary direct care staffing information [including information with respect to agency and contract staff] based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data in a uniform format [according to specifications established by the Secretary in consultation with such programs, groups, and parties]. Such specifications shall require that the information submitted under the preceding sentence--

'[i] specify the category of work a certified employee performs [such as whether the employee is a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, certified nursing assistant, therapist, or other medical personnel];

'[ii] include resident census data and information on resident case mix;

'[iii] include a regular reporting schedule; and

'[iv] include information on employee turnover and tenure and on the hours of care provided by each category of certified employees referenced in clause [i] per resident per day.

Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from requiring submission of such information with respect to specific categories, such as nursing staff, before other categories of certified employees. Information under this subparagraph with respect to agency and contract staff shall be kept separate from information on employee staffing.'.

[b] Nursing Facilities- Section- 1919[b][8] of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 1396r[b][8]] is amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

'[C] SUBMISSION OF STAFFING INFORMATION BASED ON PAYROLL DATA IN A UNIFORM FORMAT- Beginning not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, and after consulting with State long-term care ombudsman programs, consumer advocacy groups, provider stakeholder groups, employees and their representatives, and other parties the Secretary deems appropriate, the Secretary shall require a nursing facility to electronically submit to the Secretary direct care staffing information [including information with respect to agency and contract staff] based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data in a uniform format [according to specifications established by the Secretary in consultation with such programs, groups, and parties]. Such specifications shall require that the information submitted under the preceding sentence--

'[i] specify the category of work a certified employee performs [such as whether the employee is a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, licensed vocational nurse, certified nursing assistant, therapist, or other medical personnel];

'[ii] include resident census data and information on resident case mix;

'[iii] include a regular reporting schedule; and

'[iv] include information on employee turnover and tenure and on the hours of care provided by each category of certified employees referenced in clause [i] per resident per day.

Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed as preventing the Secretary from requiring submission of such information with respect to specific categories, such as nursing staff, before other categories of certified employees. Information under this subparagraph with respect to agency and contract staff shall be kept separate from information on employee staffing.'.