Danielson Bill to Increase Safety in Assisted Living Facilities, Prevent Abuse & Neglect Clears Committee

Legislation aims to hold assisted living facilities accountable & protect older Coloradans

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved a bill sponsored by Senator Jessie Danielson (D-Wheat Ridge) that aims to ramp up safety measures in Colorado’s assisted living facilities to protect residents and prevent abuse and neglect of older Coloradans.

While most residents receive quality care in assisted living facilities, too many are neglected and others are victims of psychological, physical, and other kinds of abuse. SB22-154 aims to strengthen protections for older adults and persons with disabilities residing in these facilities by developing process protections for those facing involuntary discharge and establishing a system of minimum standards and requirements. It will also increase the current cap on fees to incentivize further protections for seniors.   

“Older Coloradans should be treated with the utmost care and attention, but some assisted living facilities across our state are not doing their due diligence, and are getting away with abuse and neglect,” said Sen. Danielson. “The situation in some facilities is truly abhorrent, and too many families have had to bear the brunt of their negligence with either the loss of or profound mistreatment of a loved one. This critical bill will hold assisted living facilities accountable, better protect older Coloradans, and prevent abuse and neglect from happening in these spaces moving forward.” 

SB22-154 would establish procedures to help protect residents when an assisted living center initiates an involuntary discharge of a resident, requiring a facility to provide written notice, documentation, and establishing an appeal and grievance process.

The bill would also establish minimum qualifications for residence administrators, but exempts administrators hired before 2019. The bill requires all residence administrators to meet or exceed the minimum qualifications as of January 1, 2024. It also requires facility owners to check Colorado’s Adult Protective Services Data System prior to hiring an employee who is responsible for the care and welfare of residents. 

Currently, there is a $2,000 per year cap on facility fines. This bill removes the cap and the annual limitation and provides for the Department of Public Health and Environment to determine the amount of the fine, based on factors outlined in the bill. The current fine has not been increased since 1990. 

SB22-154 has support from the Colorado Center for Aging, the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (Area Agency on Aging for the Denver metro area), Mental Health Colorado, AARP Colorado, the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, and the Colorado Alliance for Retired Americans.

The bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track the progress of the bill HERE.