HS/HCS/HB 454 - This act would allow Residential Care Facilities I and II, which meet specific fire safety, staffing and training requirements to admit and/or retain persons who are physically capable, but who are mentally incapable, of negotiating a normal path to safety without assistance.

The facility must be equipped with: (1) an approved automatic sprinkler; (2) an automatic fire alarm system and smoke barriers. Residents in multilevel facilities are to be housed only on the ground floor, unless the upper level exits comply with the life safety code for intermediate care and skilled nursing facilities. Personal warning devices such as electronic door alarms or other electronic residential monitoring devices must be installed by the facility. There must be an adequate number and type of personnel for the proper care of residents.

Each resident mentally incapable of negotiating a pathway to safety in the facility is to be assessed by a licensed health care professional upon admission, semi-annually and when there has been a significant change in the resident's condition, to determine care needs.

All newly employed personnel who will be providing care to residents shall receive at least twelve hours of orientation and training within the first thirty days of employment. Fours of this training shall relate to the care and safety of residents with dementia.

All personnel of the facility shall receive at least twelve hours on in-service training annually with at least four hours relating to the care and safety of residents with dementia.

This act is similar to SCS/SB 136.
CHERYL GRAZIER