SIGNED! Danielson Bill to Increase Safety in Assisted Living Facilities, Prevent Abuse & Neglect Becomes Law

New law aims to hold assisted living facilities accountable & protect older Coloradans

DENVER, CO – Legislation championed by Senator Jessie Danielson, D-Wheat Ridge, to increase safety in assisted living facilities recently became law. The law aims 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 Danielson. “The situation in some facilities is truly abhorrent, and too many families have had to bear the brunt of negligence with either the loss of or profound mistreatment of a loved one. This critical law will hold assisted living facilities accountable, better protect older Coloradans, and prevent abuse and neglect from happening in these spaces moving forward.”

SB22-154 will 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 law will also establish minimum qualifications for residence administrators and will require 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. 

The law also raises the cap on facility fines, and gives the Department of Public Health and Environment authority to determine the amount of the fine, based on factors outlined in the bill.