Nursing Homes - Cost Reports (Nursing Home Care Crisis Transparency Act)

SB 679 requires Maryland nursing homes to spend at least 75% of their nursing and residential care revenue on direct care staff wages and benefits (including nurses, dietary, therapy, and social workers). It mandates that nursing homes submit annual cost reports by September 1 each year (starting in 2026) to the Maryland Department of Health, including proof of wage payments and other required details. The reports must be signed under penalty of perjury, and failure to comply or submit inaccurate reports could lead to enforcement actions like recouping funds or suspending the facility from state programs. This bill directly affects all nursing homes in Maryland that receive state funding, aiming to increase transparency around staffing costs.