Supported by CANHR

Since 1982, California nursing home residents have had a “private right of action” (the ability to sue) for violations of their rights. Last year, the state Supreme Court ruled that nursing homes that violate the rights of residents may only be held liable for $500 maximum, regardless of how many rights a facility violates and how egregious those violations are.

This bill enhances the state nursing home enforcement system by: 1) increasing the penalties for state citations issued against nursing homes to keep up with inflation and 2) updating the criteria for AA citations (those that cause the death of a resident) from the old “direct proximate cause of death’ standard to the more clear “substantial factor” standard used by courts.

Nursing homes investors are increasingly setting up “related party” businesses to avoid accountability and hide profits. AB 1042 would help counter that trend by establishing shared standards and liability for entities that have shared ownership and control. Specifically, the bill would make related parties liable for a nursing home’s unpaid State fees and fines. Status: On way to Governor’s desk.

This bill would prohibit a skilled nursing facility from contracting with a medical director if the person is not, or will not be within 5 years, certified by the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine as a Certified Medical Director. Status: On way to Governor’s desk. (At Engrossing and Enrolling) Read the Bill Read CANHR Support Letter

This bill would eliminate the Medi-Cal asset test. Status: Hearing in Senate Appropriations on 7/15/21   Read the Bill Read CANHR Support Letter

This bill would authorize information relevant to the incident of elder or dependent adult abuse to be given to a federal law enforcement agency. Status: Ordered to 3rd Reading Read the Bill Read CANHR Support Letter

This bill would amend the rights of residents of RCFEs, in those facilities with existing internet service, to add the right to have available at least one internet access tool with videoconference technology as part of the facility’s activity program. Status: Referred to Senate Appropriations Read the Bill Download Fact Sheet Sample Support Letter

This bill would extend eligibility for full-scope Medi-Cal benefits to undocumented individuals who are 65 or older. Status: Passed Assembly Health and referred to Appropriations Read the Bill Read CANHR Support Letter

This bill would make the California Community Care Transitions Program permanent, and reduce the time needed for an applicant to be considered “institutionalized” to 60 days spent in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Status: Referred to Assembly Health Committee   Read the Bill Read CANHR Support Letter

This bill would create the Office of the Patient Representative to train and oversee patient representatives to protect the rights of nursing home residents who allegedly lack capacity to make decisions and have no surrogate decisionmaker available. Status: This bill was ordered to the inactive file, but provisions were included in budget trailer bill language Read the Bill Read CANHR Support Letter

This bill would permit damages for a decedent’s pain, suffering, or disfigurement to be recovered in an action brought by the decedent’s personal representative or successor in interest. Status: Placed on Appropriations Suspense File Read the Bill

This bill was ordered to the inactive file, but the provisions were included in budget trailer bill language. The provisions would create a pilot program to permit certain adult residential facilities (ARFs) and residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs) to be eligible to receive a stipend of $1,000 per month per resident on SSI.    Status: Ordered to the inactive file Read the Bill Download Fact Sheet Sample Support Letter Read CANHR Support Letter