Arkansas Governor Beebe signed two bills into law that are designed to promote nursing homes with home-like settings. One bill would allow money from civil penalties paid by nursing homes in violation of state or federal law to go into a trust fund for the so-called "Green House" nursing homes. The other would set higher staffing standards for nursing homes....A spokeswoman for AARP of Arkansas says the bills represent a change in culture because they promote not only quality care but also quality of life.

"the bill, which passed 96-0 and goes to the Senate, gives the state Office of Long-Term Care authority to establish staffing standards for nursing home facilities certified as Eden Alternative or Green House projects."