2025 End of Session Legislative Update

Bills Specific to RCFEs

Staff ratio disclosure bill DEFEATED

DEFEATED – OPPOSE AB 508 (Aguiar-Curry) would have required RCFEs to calculate and post a complicated daily direct-care staff ratio on their website. CALA was able to explain to the Legislature that a staff ratio was disingenuous information that would further confuse consumers looking for care for their loved ones, since the RCFE model is focused on providing the needed care for each individual’s personal needs. This bill was held on the Assembly Appropriations Suspense file and is dead for the year.

ALW/CalAIM rent control language ELIMINATED 

DEFEATED – AMENDED – OPPOSITION REMOVED SB 433 (Wahab) would have allowed DHCS or DSS to waive an RCFE’s prohibition of the imposition of rent control if the provider participates in the ALW or CalAIM programs. However, CALA negotiated an amendment to remove that portion of the bill and narrow the bill to simply address the original stated intent of the bill: ensuring that ALW and CalAIM participants are allowed to retain a small personal and incidental needs allowance even if they are not on SSI/SSP. CALA removed its opposition to the bill since it now focuses on ensuring ALW and CalAIM program participants are not charged a “Room and Board” rate higher than they can afford. SB 433 was held on the Assembly Appropriations Suspense file and is dead for the year.

Onerous eviction requirements DEFEATED

DEFEATED – OPPOSE SB 434 (Wahab) would have imposed additional onerous eviction requirements on RCFEs, such as requiring an RCFE give a resident that is being evicted a longer notice period. CALA explained the severe adverse impact this would have on the many other residents of a community and was able to defeat the bill. SB 434 was held on the Senate Appropriations Suspense file and is dead for the year.

Unworkable generator requirement STOPPED

DEFEATED – OPPOSE SB 435 (Wahab) would have required all RCFEs with 16 or more residents to install high-capacity generators that could power their buildings for a minimum of 72 hours. CALA was able to show the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care examples from our members of the significant challenges that made the bill completely unworkable and likely to result in community closures. The Committee did not set the bill to be heard this year. In turn, the author “gut and amended” the bill to use it as a vehicle for a completely different topic. The bill to require generators at RCFEs is dead for the year.

Bills Enhancing Proactive Emergency Preparedness

State-sponsored Emergency Preparedness workgroup bill stalled, but CALA’s internal group continues

DIED – SUPPORT AB 1068 (Bains) would have created a working group to establish best practices for care of seniors during and following a natural disaster. The fiscal estimate for the workgroup was quite high, and was held due to the state’s current budget constraints. However, CALA’s internal Emergency Preparedness Workgroup reconvened to update our emergency preparedness best practices and resources. CALA stands ready to work with DSS and the Legislature to implement best practices across the industry. This bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Suspense file and is dead for the year.

Needed regulatory relief after natural disaster ADVANCES

PASSED – SUPPORT SB 582 (Stern) provides regulatory relief to an RCFE that has experienced a total loss of a community after a natural disaster as they work to rebuild. SB 582 passed the Legislature unanimously and was signed by the governor.

Bills Further Complicating the Employment Market

Restrictions on technology that keep residents safe DEFEATED

DEFEATED – OPPOSE AB 1221 (Bryan) would have prohibited employers from using workplace surveillance tools (which was defined very broadly) in any employment decision. This would have put Assisted Living providers in a precarious position since many communities use surveillance tools to maintain the safety of their residents. Together with a wide coalition of business advocates, CALA was able to stop the bill on the Assembly Floor before the House of Origin Deadline. AB 1221 is dead for the year, but it is on the Assembly Inactive File, which can be considered again in January.

License denials for RCFEs with outstanding wage order STOPPED 

DEFEATED – OPPOSE AB 485 (Ortega) would have required DSS to deny a license to any provider with an outstanding wage judgment, removing the flexibly DSS currently has to handle licensure in a way that prioritizes residents. CALA expressed major concerns with removing DSS’s case-by-case authority and showed the Legislature the potential negative impacts this bill could have on the statewide capacity of Assisted Living. This bill was held on the Senate Appropriations Suspense file and is dead for the year.

Bills Regarding Healthcare

Fight for expanded right to visitation CONTINUES

DIED – SUPPORT AB 92 (Gallagher) would ensure patient visitation rights by requiring health facilities to allow specified individuals to visit, especially in an end-of-life situation. CALA asked the author to expand the bill to include RCFEs. However, the bill was held in the Assembly Health Committee before a hearing could occur. This is now a two-year bill, meaning it could move forward in January.

Emergency medication administration gains ground in limited settings

PASSED – SUPPORT AB 1172 (Nguyen) allows Adult Day Program employees to administer anti-seizure medication during a seizure episode while waiting for an EMT. CALA asked the author to consider adding RCFEs to this bill, but declined expanding the bill at the time. AB 1172 passed the Legislature unanimously and was signed by the governor.

Simplifications to CalAIM not yet achieved 

DIED – SUPPORT SB 324 (Menjivar) would have simplified working with the CalAIM program, including updating the standardized plan paperwork requirements. This bill was held on the Assembly Appropriations Suspense file and is dead for the year.

Bills Compounding California’s Complex Legal Environment

Unprecedented lawsuit-generating bill ADVANCES, despite impact on cost of services 

PASSED – OPPOSE AB 251 (Kalra) allows courts to lower the standard of evidence in claims against RCFEs, skilled nursing facilities, and adult community care facilities in a case alleging neglect or abuse of an elder if spoliation is confirmed. Spoliation is the intentional destruction of evidence related to a court case. Judges already have a long list of adequate remedies for the rare instances that spoliation occurs. This bill is expected to drive up litigation costs, further driving up the cost for residents to live in Assisted Living communities. AB 251 passed the Legislature and was signed by the governor.

Trial attorney double-dipping STOPPED

DEFEATED – OPPOSE SB 29 (Laird) would allow a successor to collect pain and suffering damages for a plaintiff that passes away before a court proceeding concludes. This would result in additional damages and extra-large payouts in alleged pain & suffering suits. CALA was part of an opposition coalition that worked to defeat the bill, as other forms of unlimited damages already exist for successors. SB 29 was made into a two-year bill by the Assembly Appropriations Committee to allow more time to work with the author and Legislature on the bill. However, during End of Session, the bill was pulled directly to the Assembly Floor to allow for a vote. That vote never happened because the bill did not have enough vote commitments in the Assembly, so the bill was moved to the Inactive File. It is dead for the year.

Recent PAGA reforms PROTECTED!

DEFEATED – OPPOSE SB 310 (Wiener) would have created another pathway for wage and hour lawsuits to be brought against businesses, undermining the PAGA reforms that the Legislature passed just last year in an attempt to curb frivolous litigation against California businesses. Together with a wide coalition of business advocates, CALA was able to stop the bill on the Senate Floor before the House of Origin Deadline. SB 310 is dead for the year, but it is on the Assembly Inactive File, which can be considered again in January.