Wolk introduces bill to strengthen requirements for residential care facilities

Legislation requires disaster planning, notification of rate increases

SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) introduced legislation this week to better protect California’s seniors by requiring that residential care facilities plan for disasters and emergencies such as power outages. The bill also strengthens existing law to ensure tenants are adequately notified of rate increases.

“Recent events in my own community and throughout the state indicate that we need to revise existing requirements for residential care facilities,” said Wolk. “Our state’s population is aging, and more people are finding themselves dependent on assisted living facilities. Yet, this is a largely unregulated industry. My bill will provide additional protection for residents living in residential care facilities, including tougher requirements for emergency planning and stronger policies for notification on rate increases.”

Assembly Bill 2101 requires residential care facilities to develop a comprehensive emergency plan to address a variety of disaster scenarios, evacuation plans, provisions for needed emergency power, proper storage and administration of medications, and operation of assistive electrically-powered medical devices. 
 
Wolk’s proposal also addresses numerous shortcomings in the tenant rate increase notification process and ensures better communication regarding rate increases.  Specifically, it requires that residential care facilities provide prospective tenants with information on the previous rate increases over a five-year period, and requires that the tenant contract specify that there is a possibility of future rate increases. Additionally, the bill requires facilities, when notifying residents of a rate increase which is larger than the corresponding cost-of-living increase, provide the methodology used to determine the increase as well as options and resources available to those tenants.

“These are already very challenging financial times now that the economy is slumping. We have an obligation to ensure that seniors, who often live on a fixed income, are fully aware of the potential for rate increases and the possible options available to them,” Wolk concluded.