6. a. Each long-term care facility shall ensure that the administrators and staff at the long-term care facility receive training, on at least a biennial basis, concerning:

(1) caring for LGBTQI seniors and seniors living with HIV; and

(2) preventing discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, intersex status, and HIV status.

b. At a minimum, the training required pursuant to this section shall include:

(1) the definition of the terms commonly associated with sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, intersex status, and HIV;

(2) best practices for communicating with or about LGBTQI seniors and seniors living with HIV, including the use of a resident’s chosen name and pronouns;

(3) a description of the health and social challenges historically experienced by LGBTQI seniors and seniors living with HIV, including discrimination when seeking or receiving care at long-term care facilities, and the demonstrated physical and mental health effects within the LGBTQI community associated with such discrimination;

(4) strategies to create a safe and affirming environment for LGBTQI seniors and seniors living with HIV, including suggested changes to facility policies and procedures, forms, signage, communication between residents and their families, activities, and staff training and in-services; and

(5) an overview of the provisions of this act.

c. The training required pursuant to this section shall be provided by an entity that has demonstrated expertise in identifying the legal, social, and medical challenges faced by, and in creating safe and affirming environments for, LGBTQI seniors and seniors living with HIV who reside in long-term care facilities in New Jersey.

d. (1) Each long-term care facility shall designate two employees, including one employee representing management at the facility and one employee representing direct care staff at the facility, to receive in-person training within six months after the effective date of this act, which designated employees shall serve as points of contact for the facility regarding compliance with the provisions of this act and shall develop a general training plan for the facility. In the event a designated employee ceases to be employed by the facility, the facility shall designate another employee, who is representative of the employee group represented by the former designee, who shall complete the in-person training required pursuant to this paragraph, serve as a point of contact for the facility regarding compliance with the provisions of this act, and have joint responsibility for the facility’s training plan.

(2) Administrators and staff members currently employed by a long-term care facility, other than an employee designated pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall complete the training required pursuant to this section within one year after the effective date of this act. Administrators and staff hired by a long-term care facility after the effective date of this act shall complete the training required pursuant to this section within one year after the date of hire, unless the individual provides documentation demonstrating that the individual has completed equivalent training within the past two years.

(3) Each long-term care facility shall retain records documenting the completion of the training required pursuant to this section by each administrator and staff member at the long-term care facility. Compliance records shall be made available, upon request, to the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

e. Each long-term care facility shall assume the cost of providing the training required pursuant to this section.

L.2021, c.33, s.6.