BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 1572
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   April 30, 2014

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                  Mike Gatto, Chair

                    AB 1572 (Eggman) - As Amended:  April 8, 2014 

          Policy Committee:                              Aging and  
          Long-Term CareVote:                           7-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          No     Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill grants resident councils and family councils at  
          residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs) additional  
          rights, including the right to receive responses to council  
          recommendations, freedom from willful interference from the  
          RCFE, and a requirement that facilities promote councils to  
          residents.  

          It also allows the Department of Social Services (DSS) to assess  
          civil penalties of $250 per day on RCFEs for violation of these  
          newly defined rights.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          1)Minor and absorbable one-time and ongoing costs to DSS to  
            enforce the bill's provisions. 

          2)Unknown, likely minor penalty revenue, to the extent RCFEs are  
            cited for non-compliance and fines are assessed and collected.

           COMMENTS  

           1)Purpose  . The author believes this bill will enhance the  
            ability of resident and family councils to provide open  
            communication between RCFEs and their residents and family  
            members. The author states RCFEs have come under scrutiny and  
            this bill is a proactive effort to prevent incidents from  
            occurring in facilities.

           2)Background  . RCFEs, or assisted living facilities, are licensed  
            and overseen by DSS.  RCFEs provide care, supervision and  








                                                                  AB 1572
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            assistance with activities of daily living, such as bathing,  
            dressing, ambulating, grooming, and other personal activities.  
            They may also provide incidental medical services under  
            special care plans.  Residents in RCFEs require varying levels  
            of personal care and protective supervision.  

            Resident and family councils allow for collaborative  
            discussions about activities, dining services, housekeeping,  
            and quality of life concerns with administration and staff.  

            The Governor's 2014-15 budget proposes an additional 71.5  
            positions, as well as other enhancements, to allow the  
            Continuing Care Licensing division of DSS to enhance their  
            oversight of licensed facilities.  

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Lisa Murawski / APPR. / (916) 319-2081