SENIOR SENATE PROPOSAL NO. 5

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR SENATOR LUNDIN

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

SP 5: SENIOR HOUSING: SECURITY.

UNDER EXISTING LAW, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY, AS WELL AS OTHER RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES. EXISTING LAW ALSO REQUIRES THAT PERSONS WHO PROVIDE DIRECT CARE SERVICES IN A RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY FOR THE ELDERLY MUST BE FINGERPRINTED AND UNDERGO A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND THAT A RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY BE INSPECTED NO LESS THAN ONCE EVERY 5 YEARS. UNDER EXISTING LAW, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF NURSING HOMES AND OTHER HEALTH FACILITIES. RESIDENTS OF ALL LONG-TERM CARE
FACILITIES MAY REPORT COMPLAINTS OF ABUSE TO A LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN OR A LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD INCREASE SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE AT ALL LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND PROVIDE SECURITY TRAINING TO APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL.

VOTE: MAJORITY.

SP 5: RELATING TO SENIOR FACILITY SECURITY

WHEREAS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF NURSING HOMES AND OTHER HEALTH FACILITIES; AND

WHEREAS, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LICENSING AND REGULATION OF RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY AND OTHER RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES; AND

WHEREAS, SENIOR CITIZENS WHO RESIDE IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ARE AT RISK OF BEING FINANCIALLY AND PHYSICALLY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF; AND

WHEREAS, SENIOR CITIZENS WHO RESIDE IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ARE SUBJECT TO OPEN DOOR POLICIES AND MAY BE ROBBED OR ASSAULTED; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR SENATE AND THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2008 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY PROPOSES THAT REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE OF ALL LONG‑TERM CARE FACILITIES IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA BE INCREASED; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT SECURITY TRAINING BE PROVIDED TO APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES TO FURTHER ENHANCE THE SECURITY OF SENIORS; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

RN 08 21949

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