In a special summer session, the state legislature unanimously passed HB 987, which provides more safeguards for seniors in assisted living and personal care homes. Governor Brian Kemp signed the bill June 30.
Sponsored by Rep. Sharon Cooper, R-Marietta, the bill requires memory care units to be certified and have more staff; directors to be licensed, and higher fines for infractions. Assisted living homes will be required to have nurse staffing and they must disclose any financial problems to residents and families.
Senior care homes also must plan for a pandemic with a short-term supply of personal protective gear, test residents and staff, and notify residents and families of any outbreak.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 2019 series “The Unprotected” was the impetus for Cooper’s bill. You can read the entire series at gcoa.org/ajc-series-unprotected.
