2009-2010 Legislative Session

SB 1329 (Leno) - Financial Distress Indication Notices
VETOED
The major Assisted Living bill in 2010, SB 1329 (Leno) was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger due to workload concerns.

This bill would have required licensees to notify CCL, and in some instances, residents and applicants for potential residence, of specified events that might indicate financial distress. SB 1329 was a response to foreclosures on several small communities that were not handled well. CALA obtained significant amendments early in the process and has remained neutral on the bill. The Governor’s veto message reads:

To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 1329 without my signature. While I appreciate the author's continued effort to improve protections for residential care facilities, this bill would represent a new unfunded workload and redirect scarce resources that are currently dedicated to immediate health and safety issues. For this reason, I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,
Arnold Swarzenegger

SB 892 (Alquist) -- Addition of Non-Exemptible Crimes
DEAD
This bill would have added additional offenses to the current DSS list of non-exemptible crimes with respect to employment in any capacity in an RCFE. This bill was an effort to increase consistency between DSS, which clears all community care facility employees and the Department of Public Health which clears CNAs. The bill did not address any other inconsistencies between the programs. CALA has long supported a strong and effective screening process and testified in support of this bill. SB 892 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee due to significant cost to DSS to restructure its criminal background check system.

AB 762 (Lowenthal) – Bedridden
SIGNED by the Governor
Sponsored by CALA this bill requires that RCFE residents who need assistance transferring to and from bed (but not assistance turning or repositioning), are considered nonambulatory for purposes of fire clearance. A nonambulatory fire clearance is required for these residents/clients. The STD 850 shall reflect these residents as nonambulatory. Alternately, RCFE residents who need assistance turning or repositioning in bed continue to be considered bedridden for purposes of fire clearance. The STD 850 will reflect these residents as bedridden. See the history of this issue and more information implementig this law here.

SB 781 (Leno) -- Eviction Procedures
SIGNED by the Governor
This bill changes the required information in an eviction notice. Most notably, it requires the notice to include specific language regarding the unlawful detainer process that will be pursued if a resident does not comply with the 3-day or 30-day notice.