Wolk bill to protect seniors gets unanimous, bipartisan support in key committee

Legislation strengthens requirements for residential care facilities for elderly

SACRAMENTO–A key legislative committee voted unanimously this week to approve Assembly Bill 2101, legislation by Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) to strengthen protections for seniors living in residential care facilities.

“These facilities provide a vital service to California’s seniors who are aging, but not ready to live in a skilled nursing environment.  Yet, this is a largely unregulated industry,” said Wolk. “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.”

The Assembly Health and Human Services Committee issued a bipartisan 7-0 vote to support the bill, which requires residential care facilities for the elderly to develop a comprehensive emergency plan to address emergency power and communication needs, proper storage and administration of medications, and operation of assistive electrically-powered medical devices.  The proposal also helps seniors make financial decisions about their ability to afford a facility by creating a better process for informing prospective residents about the potential of future rate increases, and by requiring the facility to provide a 5-year history of past rate increases.

Among those testifying in the support of the bill at the State Capitol Tuesday was Gary Passmore with the Congress of California Seniors, who spoke on the bill’s rate-related requirements.

“Tens of thousands of residents in these facilities subsist on SSI payments and every year they face rent increases of 3% to 11%,” he said. “Seniors and others on small fixed incomes need as much advance notice of rate increases as possible and AB 2101 would help by requiring more advance notice.”