Bill > HB119

This bill establishes new requirements for emergency preparedness in senior retirement communities, specifically focusing on power outage response and safety. The legislation defines an "area of refuge" as a climate-controlled space within a senior retirement community designated to provide safety during emergencies that do not require evacuation. Senior retirement communities will now be required to adopt an emergency preparedness plan that includes providing at least 15 square feet per resident in the area of refuge, maintaining a temperature between 68 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, and notifying the local fire marshal of any unplanned electric utility service interruption lasting more than 12 hours. The bill mandates annual inspections by local fire marshals to verify compliance, during which they will review emergency power components, verify secondary power supply operational status, document any deficiencies, and issue corrective orders. Additionally, the bill expands the purpose of Texas backup power packages to explicitly include facilities operated by senior retirement communities, allowing for funding and support of backup power systems. Municipalities, counties, and emergency services districts are authorized to impose penalties on communities that fail to comply with these new requirements, treating such violations similarly to fire code infractions. The bill is set to take effect 91 days after the end of the legislative session.

Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=892&Bill=HB119