Bill > SB435

This bill requires residential care facilities for the elderly licensed for 16 or more residents to have an alternative power source capable of protecting resident health and safety for at least 72 hours during any power outage, starting January 1, 2028. Facilities have two primary options for meeting this requirement: using a permanently affixed generator with sufficient onsite fuel or sufficient fuel delivery arrangements, or using batteries or a renewable electrical generation facility with sufficient storage capacity. If batteries or renewable energy are used, facilities must also have a plan to obtain a generator and fuel if power is not restored within 48 hours. The bill defines "alternative source of power" to include emergency generators, large capacity batteries, renewable electrical generation facilities, and renewable energy microgrids. "Resident health and safety" is defined broadly to include maintaining safe temperatures, keeping life-saving equipment operational, and ensuring oxygen-generating devices remain functional. Facilities must also update their emergency and disaster plans to include information about their chosen alternative power source. By expanding the requirements for emergency preparedness, the bill creates a new potential misdemeanor violation, which makes it a state-mandated local program. However, the bill specifies that no state reimbursement is required for implementing these new requirements.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB435