Governor Jerry Brown made it clear that assisted living facilities in California will be held accountable for violations of state regulations, to the tune of a 100% increase in fines.
Until recently, fines for violations at assisted living facilities maxed out at a measly $150.00. The top fine will now be $15,000.00. This is just the latest step in a statewide effort to increase oversight of assisted living facilities. The Governor also signed 9 additional assisted living reform bills, which marks the single greatest overhaul of the elder care facility industry in almost 30 years.
This bill was co-authored by San Diego’s own Assemblyman Brian Maienschein, and extends to cover all community care facilities, not just nursing homes. So far, Governor Brown has signed 13 new bills designed to protect our elderly into law this year. The San Diego Union Tribune has a great article which explains the details of the new law. It can be read in its entirety here.
At Walton Law, APC, we are very pleased to see our politicians working harder to protect our seniors. We certainly hope that the increase in fines will prompt elder care facilities throughout the state to begin to honor the rights of patients and elders living within assisted living facilities and nursing homes throughout the state as they have promised the families of these loved one they would.
Christopher C. Walton has been named a 2014 Super Lawyer, A Top 40 Under 40 Litigator, and a 2014 San Diego Daily Transcript Top Attorney. His San Diego, California based practice is dedicated to issues involving elder abuse & nursing home abuse and neglect. If you believe somebody you know has been a victim of elder abuse in Southern California, please call Walton Law, APC at (866) 338-7079 for a free and confidential consultation.