Staff Reports
Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday directed state agencies to “immediately begin the formal rulemaking process to permanently enact a rule requiring emergency generators at assisted living facilities (ALFs) and nursing homes.”
His edict went to the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Department of Elder Affairs.
“An emergency rule adopted Sept. 16 requires all ALFs and nursing homes to obtain ample resources, including a generator and the appropriate amount of fuel, to sustain operations and maintain comfortable temperatures for at least 96 hours following a power outage,” according to a press release. “The formal rulemaking process will permanently codify these life-saving measures and allow for extensive public comment through workshops and public meetings.”
“After the heartbreaking tragedy at the Rehabilitation Center of Hollywood Hills following Hurricane Irma, I implemented emergency rules to ensure nursing homes and assisted living facilities across the state would take immediate action to keep their patients safe,” he said in a statement.
“Today, I am directing the state to begin the formal rulemaking process to make these protections permanent,” he added. “Families rely on assisted living facilities and nursing homes to be fully prepared to care for their loved ones, and it is the responsibility of these facilities to provide a safe environment for their elderly and vulnerable residents.
“I will also be working closely with the Legislature to put this into law and I asked the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) to consider proposals that would also help protect the residents of these facilities. We will continue to explore every possible avenue in our fight to keep all residents safe.”
To view the Notices of Rule Development, click here and here.
