BILL ANALYSIS
AB 2629
Page 1
Date of Hearing: May 12, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2629 (Lowenthal) - As Amended: April 26, 2010
Policy Committee: Aging & LTC
Vote:5-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill modifies admission and retention requirements for
individuals in adult residential facilities and residential care
facilities for the terminally ill to increase uniformity between
patient care settings. Specifically, this bill:
1)Modifies the definition of bedridden to exclude a recovery
from surgery that lasts for less than 14 days.
2)Establishes requirements to be met if a bedridden resident is
authorized to remain in a facility.
3)Prohibits a client from remaining in a residential facility if
the individual requires 24-hour care, unless the facility is a
residential facility for the terminally ill.
FISCAL EFFECT
Absorbable workload to the California Department of Social
Services to continue licensing oversight of residential
facilities for adults addressed in this bill.
COMMENTS
1)Rationale . This bill clarifies laws related to fire clearance
for residents who have difficulty moving in and out of bed,
which causes major risk if fire strikes. Under current law,
health and safety codes address numerous aspects of
residential fire safety for dependent children, disabled
adults, and the elderly.
AB 2629
Page 2
AB 762 (Lowenthal), Chapter 471, Statutes of 2009, clarified the
fire clearance requirements for bedridden residents to
distinguish between residents who are nonambulatory and
residents who are unable to turn or reposition in bed in
residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE). This bill
increases uniformity between RCFE, adult residential
facilities (ARF) and residential care facilities for the
terminally ill (RCFCI).
2)Residential Care Settings . RCFE generally serve clients 60
years of age and older who are unable to live by themselves,
but who do not require 24-hour nursing care. ARF are
facilities that provide 24-hour non-medical care for
non-elderly adults who are unable to provide for their daily
needs. Adults may be physically handicapped, developmentally
disabled, or have mental health issues. RCFCI are facilities
with a maximum licensed capacity of 25. Care and supervision
is provided to adults who are HIV-positive or have been
diagnosed with AIDS.
Analysis Prepared by : Mary Ader / APPR. / (916) 319-2081