Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of residential care facilities for the elderly by the State Department of Social Services. Existing law requires residential care facilities for the elderly to have an emergency and disaster plan and requires the plan to include specified elements, including plans for the facility to be self-reliant for a period of not less than 72 hours immediately following any emergency or disaster, including, but not limited to, a short-term or long-term power failure. A violation of these provisions is punishable as a misdemeanor.
This bill, commencing January 1, 2027, would require a residential care facility for the elderly to have an alternative source of power, as defined, to protect residents' health and safety for no fewer than 72 hours during any type of power outage. The bill would impose specific compliance requirements based on whether the facility uses a generator as its alternative source of power, or batteries or a combination of batteries in tandem with a renewable electrical generation facility. The bill would require a facility to comply with these requirements and include information regarding the alternative source of power within the emergency and disaster plan beginning January 1, 2027. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

Statutes affected:
SB 435: 1569.695 HSC
02/18/25 - Introduced: 1569.695 HSC