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A roundup of state bills on elderly

Bill name, sponsor, description, status

S.B. 535

Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica)

Access to nursing home information: This bill expands the kind of information the California Department of Public Health must have in its consumer information service center for long-term health care facilities. The online portal, which was opened March 1 this year, must include a facility’s contact information, ownership background, number of beds, what payments accepted, complaints and outcomes and other information specified in the bill.

The bill has been suspended and will be reviewed by the Appropriations Committee no later than Aug. 15 along with other suspended bills.

S.B. 1140

Sen. Darrel Steinberg (D-Sacramento)

Elder financial abuse protection: This bill expands the definition of financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult and creates mandated local programs to address the crimes. The bill also modifies court stipulations that slow the return of damages to the plaintiff. Finally, it creates a four-year statute of limitations for filing a civil suit claiming elderly financial abuse.

This bill was read for the third and final time in the Appropriations Committee and will now be heard on the Assembly floor.

A.B. 2475

Assemblywoman Shirley Horton (R-Lemon Grove)

Ban of admissions: This bill allows the Department of Public Health to ban understaffed nursing homes from admitting new residents.

This bill was introduced Feb. 21 and is awaiting a first reading.