Creates provisions relating to attendant call systems in residential care facilities and assisted living facilities
Impact
The legislation is expected to influence state laws by introducing specific safety provisions regarding the operational standards of assisted living and residential care facilities. With the establishment of a standardized attendant call system, facilities will need to reassess and potentially upgrade their existing systems to remain compliant with new state regulations. This could lead to increased operational costs for some facilities, which may affect their pricing structure or funding mandates.
Summary
House Bill 2839 aims to enhance safety and communication within assisted living and residential care facilities by mandating the installation of attendant call systems. Under this bill, every facility will be required to equip individual rooms, including toilets and resident bedrooms, with a mechanism to summon attendants, ensuring immediate assistance is accessible for residents. This requirement will help improve response times and increase safety for individuals who may need urgent help, thereby promoting a better quality of care in these settings.
Contention
Notable points of contention regarding HB 2839 may revolve around funding implications and the practical aspects of system installation. Some opponents might argue that the financial burden of installing such systems could be challenging for smaller facilities that may already be struggling to meet existing operational costs. Proponents of the bill, however, assert that the investment in safety technology is necessary to ensure resident wellbeing and improve care standards throughout the state.
Modifies provisions relating to required background checks of individuals employed by or associated with licensed residential care facilities, child placing agencies, or residential care facilities