COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Statement of Introduction
Furthering Transparency in Assisted Living Residences Amendment Act of 2023
December 15, 2023
Today, along with Councilmembers Brianne K. Nadeau, Charles Allen, Robert C. White, Jr., Janeese
Lewis George, Brooke Pinto, Anita Bonds, and Vincent C. Gray, I am introducing the Furthering
Transparency in Assisted Living Residences Amendment Act of 2023. This bill would require the
Mayor to publish assisted living residences’ annual licensing survey reports and complaint
investigation findings on the Department of Health’s website.
Assisted living residences give older adults the opportunity to age in their communities while accessing
vital services and resources. Currently, the Department of Health conducts licensure surveys, which
are non-complaint inspections and site visits that occur prior to and after the licensure of an assisted
living residence. These surveys monitor assisted living residences’ compliance with safety and
logistical measures as outlined in the Code of the District of Columbia. The Department of Health
conducts a complaint investigation after a complaint alleging abuse, neglect, retaliation, or other
serious violations is made against an assisted living residence. In the past, residents were able to review
this information on the Department of Health’s website. Alarmingly, the most recent publicly
accessible complaint investigation reports are from 2016 and the most recently available licensure
survey reports are from 2020. Both survey reports and complaint investigations are vital to improving
performance, safety measures, and resident satisfaction within assisted living spaces.
Nationally, about 70% of assisted living facility residents are female and 30% are male, which mirrors
trends in the District. Here, 69% of assisted living facility residents are women and 31% are men.
Additionally, half of assisted living residents are over 85. Older women are more likely than men to
have chronic or ongoing health conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis, so
it is important that assisted living residences provide high-quality care that reflects known needs of
senior citizens. Data also shows that among assisted living residents, 49% have high blood pressure,
43% have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and 23% have depression. Assisted living residences
provide critical healthcare services to seniors and others with a wide array of physical and mental
healthcare needs, and it essential that information about District facilities' performance be publicly
accessible.
Annual survey reports and complaint investigation findings give the government, the public,
prospective residents, and prospective residents’ family members a clear picture into the performance
and safety of assisted living residences. Accessible information strengthens enforcement mechanisms
to improve the quality of the assisted living residences in the District. All residents desire and deserve
good health, dignity, and independence. Through this legislation, the Council can advance
transparency, safety, and quality care in assisting living facilities. I look forward to working with my
colleagues on the Council to move this legislation forward and advance the District’s commitment to
ensuring quality long-term care to its assisted living resident population.
Christina Henderson Committee Member
Councilmember, At-Large Hospital and Health Equity
Chairperson, Committee on Health Judiciary and Public Safety
Transportation and the Environment
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Councilmember Brianne K. Nadeau Councilmember Christina Henderson 2
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Councilmember Charles Allen Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 6
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Councilmember Janeese Lewis George Councilmember Brooke Pinto 10
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Councilmember Anita Bonds Councilmember Vincent C. Gray 14
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A BILL 19
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 24
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To amend the Assisted Living Residence Regulatory Act of 2000 to require the Mayor to publish 29
complaint investigation findings and licensure survey reports on the Department of 30
Health agency website by March 31st and annually thereafter. 31
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 33
act may be cited as the “Furthering Transparency in Assisted Living Residences Amendment Act 34
of 2023.” 35
Sec. 2. The Assisted Living Residence Regulatory Act of 2000 (D.C. Official Code § 44 - 36
101.01 et seq.) is amended as follows: 37
(a) New section 1601 is added to read as follows:38
“Sec. 1601. Annual Reporting. 39 “The Mayor shall publish the findings from licensure survey reports as required in § 44-40
103.04(a) and complaint investigations as required in § 44–105.09(b)(3) by March 31st of each 41
year on the Department of Health website.” 42
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 43
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 44
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 45
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 46
Sec. 4. Effective date. 47
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 48
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as 49
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 50
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of 51
Columbia Register. 52