1. (1) The department shall be responsible for the administration and operation of state veterans nursing homes established by the Legislature, which may include contracting with a private health care provider to operate and manage each home.

2. (2) Each home shall:

   1. (a) have at least an 80-bed capacity;
   2. (b) be designed and constructed consistent with the requirements for federal funding under 38 U.S.C. Sec. 8131 et seq.; and
   3. (c) be operated consistent with the requirements for per diem payments from the VA under 38 U.S.C. Sec. 1741 et seq.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 44, 2023 General Session