I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 537 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 8, 2011 Mr. Connolly of Virginia (for himself, Mr. Braley of Iowa, Mr. Blumenauer, and Mr. Latham) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act with respect to the qualification of the director of food services of a Medicare skilled nursing facility or a Medicaid nursing facility.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Safe Food for Seniors Act of 2011.

2.

Qualification of director of food services of a Medicare skilled nursing facility or a Medicaid nursing facility

(a)

In general

Sections 1819(b)(4)(A) and 1919(b)(4)(A) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395i–3(b)(4)(A), 1396r(b)(4)(A)) are each amended by adding at the end the following: With respect to meeting the staffing requirement imposed by the Secretary to carry out clause (iv), the full-time director of food services of the facility, if not a qualified dietitian (as defined in section 483.35(a)(2) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect as of the date of the enactment of this section), shall be a Certified Dietary Manager meeting the requirements of the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers or have equivalent military or academic qualifications (as specified by the Secretary).. (b)

Effective date

The amendments made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.