Senate Bill No. 1310 introduces Chapter 786 to the Health and Safety Code, focusing on senior retirement communities. The bill defines key terms such as "senior retirement community," which refers to residential communities with at least 20 units that provide common amenities. It establishes requirements for these communities, including the creation and maintenance of a written emergency response plan that must be updated annually. This plan should detail communication methods during disasters, provisions for food and essential supplies, and options for resident transport during evacuations. Additionally, the bill mandates that the emergency response plan be provided to residents and their families, and posted in a visible location within the community.

The bill also includes provisions that protect residents' rights, prohibiting senior retirement communities from preventing residents from communicating with law enforcement or other parties regarding their health and safety. It specifies that any lease or contract must include a copy of the emergency response plan and cannot control the content of residents' advance directives. Notably, the bill allows senior retirement communities until January 1, 2026, to comply with the emergency response plan requirements, and the provisions regarding agreements or contracts apply only to those entered into or renewed after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025.

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