Amended IN Assembly April 03, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1068Introduced by Assembly Member BainsFebruary 20, 2025 An act to add and repeal Section 9114.5 to of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to older adults. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1068, as amended, Bains. Emergency services available during natural disasters.Existing law, the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act, establishes establishes, among others, the California Department of Aging in the California Health and Human Services Agency, also known as CalHHS and headed by the Secretary of CalHHS, and sets forth its mission to provide leadership to the area agencies on aging in developing systems of home- and community-based services that maintain individuals in their own homes or least restrictive homelike environments. Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of long-term health care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities, by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law requires, among other things, the department to administer the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program.This bill would require the California Department of Aging to prepare and submit a report, as specified, detailing the emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during a natural disaster.This bill would require the Secretary of CalHHS, in coordination with various state departments, offices, and other entities, as specified, to develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies. The bill would require the Secretary of CalHHS to submit the recommendations no later than July 1, 2026, and would repeal that requirement on January 1, 2030.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 9114.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:9114.5. (a) No later than July 1, 2026, the Department of Aging shall prepare and submit a report on emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during natural disasters, as defined in Section 8680.3 of the Government Code. January 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the best policies and practices for the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during emergencies, including, but not limited to, mutual aid evacuations, in coordination with all of the following:(1) The California Department of Aging.(2) The California Department of Rehabilitation.(3) The Emergency Medical Services Authority.(4) The Office of Emergency Services.(5) The Office of the State Long-Term Ombudsman.(6) The State Department of Public Health.(7) The State Department of Social Services.(8) Stakeholders representing long-term care facility operators, staff, and residents, local government, foundations, and academic researchers.(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the Legislature and posted on the departments internet website in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. No later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall submit the recommendations of the workgroup to the Office of the Governor and to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of statutory and regulatory changes that are needed to implement the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities.(c) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.
Amended IN Assembly April 03, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 1068Introduced by Assembly Member BainsFebruary 20, 2025 An act to add and repeal Section 9114.5 to of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to older adults. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 1068, as amended, Bains. Emergency services available during natural disasters.Existing law, the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act, establishes establishes, among others, the California Department of Aging in the California Health and Human Services Agency, also known as CalHHS and headed by the Secretary of CalHHS, and sets forth its mission to provide leadership to the area agencies on aging in developing systems of home- and community-based services that maintain individuals in their own homes or least restrictive homelike environments. Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of long-term health care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities, by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law requires, among other things, the department to administer the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program.This bill would require the California Department of Aging to prepare and submit a report, as specified, detailing the emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during a natural disaster.This bill would require the Secretary of CalHHS, in coordination with various state departments, offices, and other entities, as specified, to develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies. The bill would require the Secretary of CalHHS to submit the recommendations no later than July 1, 2026, and would repeal that requirement on January 1, 2030.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Assembly April 03, 2025
Amended IN Assembly April 03, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 1068
Introduced by Assembly Member BainsFebruary 20, 2025
Introduced by Assembly Member Bains
February 20, 2025
An act to add and repeal Section 9114.5 to of the Welfare and Institutions Code, relating to older adults.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1068, as amended, Bains. Emergency services available during natural disasters.
Existing law, the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act, establishes establishes, among others, the California Department of Aging in the California Health and Human Services Agency, also known as CalHHS and headed by the Secretary of CalHHS, and sets forth its mission to provide leadership to the area agencies on aging in developing systems of home- and community-based services that maintain individuals in their own homes or least restrictive homelike environments. Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of long-term health care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities, by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law requires, among other things, the department to administer the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program.This bill would require the California Department of Aging to prepare and submit a report, as specified, detailing the emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during a natural disaster.This bill would require the Secretary of CalHHS, in coordination with various state departments, offices, and other entities, as specified, to develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies. The bill would require the Secretary of CalHHS to submit the recommendations no later than July 1, 2026, and would repeal that requirement on January 1, 2030.
Existing law, the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act, establishes establishes, among others, the California Department of Aging in the California Health and Human Services Agency, also known as CalHHS and headed by the Secretary of CalHHS, and sets forth its mission to provide leadership to the area agencies on aging in developing systems of home- and community-based services that maintain individuals in their own homes or least restrictive homelike environments. Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of long-term health care facilities, including skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities, by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law requires, among other things, the department to administer the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) program.
This bill would require the California Department of Aging to prepare and submit a report, as specified, detailing the emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during a natural disaster.
This bill would require the Secretary of CalHHS, in coordination with various state departments, offices, and other entities, as specified, to develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during natural, technological, or manmade disasters and emergencies. The bill would require the Secretary of CalHHS to submit the recommendations no later than July 1, 2026, and would repeal that requirement on January 1, 2030.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Section 9114.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:9114.5. (a) No later than July 1, 2026, the Department of Aging shall prepare and submit a report on emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during natural disasters, as defined in Section 8680.3 of the Government Code. January 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the best policies and practices for the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during emergencies, including, but not limited to, mutual aid evacuations, in coordination with all of the following:(1) The California Department of Aging.(2) The California Department of Rehabilitation.(3) The Emergency Medical Services Authority.(4) The Office of Emergency Services.(5) The Office of the State Long-Term Ombudsman.(6) The State Department of Public Health.(7) The State Department of Social Services.(8) Stakeholders representing long-term care facility operators, staff, and residents, local government, foundations, and academic researchers.(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the Legislature and posted on the departments internet website in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. No later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall submit the recommendations of the workgroup to the Office of the Governor and to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of statutory and regulatory changes that are needed to implement the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities.(c) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 9114.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:9114.5. (a) No later than July 1, 2026, the Department of Aging shall prepare and submit a report on emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during natural disasters, as defined in Section 8680.3 of the Government Code. January 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the best policies and practices for the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during emergencies, including, but not limited to, mutual aid evacuations, in coordination with all of the following:(1) The California Department of Aging.(2) The California Department of Rehabilitation.(3) The Emergency Medical Services Authority.(4) The Office of Emergency Services.(5) The Office of the State Long-Term Ombudsman.(6) The State Department of Public Health.(7) The State Department of Social Services.(8) Stakeholders representing long-term care facility operators, staff, and residents, local government, foundations, and academic researchers.(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the Legislature and posted on the departments internet website in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. No later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall submit the recommendations of the workgroup to the Office of the Governor and to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of statutory and regulatory changes that are needed to implement the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities.(c) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.
SECTION 1. Section 9114.5 is added to the Welfare and Institutions Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
9114.5. (a) No later than July 1, 2026, the Department of Aging shall prepare and submit a report on emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during natural disasters, as defined in Section 8680.3 of the Government Code. January 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the best policies and practices for the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during emergencies, including, but not limited to, mutual aid evacuations, in coordination with all of the following:(1) The California Department of Aging.(2) The California Department of Rehabilitation.(3) The Emergency Medical Services Authority.(4) The Office of Emergency Services.(5) The Office of the State Long-Term Ombudsman.(6) The State Department of Public Health.(7) The State Department of Social Services.(8) Stakeholders representing long-term care facility operators, staff, and residents, local government, foundations, and academic researchers.(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the Legislature and posted on the departments internet website in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. No later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall submit the recommendations of the workgroup to the Office of the Governor and to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of statutory and regulatory changes that are needed to implement the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities.(c) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.
9114.5. (a) No later than July 1, 2026, the Department of Aging shall prepare and submit a report on emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during natural disasters, as defined in Section 8680.3 of the Government Code. January 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the best policies and practices for the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during emergencies, including, but not limited to, mutual aid evacuations, in coordination with all of the following:(1) The California Department of Aging.(2) The California Department of Rehabilitation.(3) The Emergency Medical Services Authority.(4) The Office of Emergency Services.(5) The Office of the State Long-Term Ombudsman.(6) The State Department of Public Health.(7) The State Department of Social Services.(8) Stakeholders representing long-term care facility operators, staff, and residents, local government, foundations, and academic researchers.(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the Legislature and posted on the departments internet website in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. No later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall submit the recommendations of the workgroup to the Office of the Governor and to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of statutory and regulatory changes that are needed to implement the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities.(c) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.
9114.5. (a) No later than July 1, 2026, the Department of Aging shall prepare and submit a report on emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during natural disasters, as defined in Section 8680.3 of the Government Code. January 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the best policies and practices for the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during emergencies, including, but not limited to, mutual aid evacuations, in coordination with all of the following:(1) The California Department of Aging.(2) The California Department of Rehabilitation.(3) The Emergency Medical Services Authority.(4) The Office of Emergency Services.(5) The Office of the State Long-Term Ombudsman.(6) The State Department of Public Health.(7) The State Department of Social Services.(8) Stakeholders representing long-term care facility operators, staff, and residents, local government, foundations, and academic researchers.(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the Legislature and posted on the departments internet website in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. No later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall submit the recommendations of the workgroup to the Office of the Governor and to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of statutory and regulatory changes that are needed to implement the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities.(c) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.
9114.5. (a) No later than July 1, 2026, the Department of Aging shall prepare and submit a report on emergency services available to older Californians and people with disabilities during natural disasters, as defined in Section 8680.3 of the Government Code. January 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall develop a working group to make recommendations regarding the best policies and practices for the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities during emergencies, including, but not limited to, mutual aid evacuations, in coordination with all of the following:
(1) The California Department of Aging.
(2) The California Department of Rehabilitation.
(3) The Emergency Medical Services Authority.
(4) The Office of Emergency Services.
(5) The Office of the State Long-Term Ombudsman.
(6) The State Department of Public Health.
(7) The State Department of Social Services.
(8) Stakeholders representing long-term care facility operators, staff, and residents, local government, foundations, and academic researchers.
(b) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be submitted to the Legislature and posted on the departments internet website in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code. No later than July 1, 2026, the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency shall submit the recommendations of the workgroup to the Office of the Governor and to the appropriate fiscal and policy committees of the Legislature. The report shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of statutory and regulatory changes that are needed to implement the evacuation and sheltering needs of older adults and persons with disabilities living in long-term care facilities.
(c) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2030.