Residential care facilities for the elderly: direct care ratios.

Assembly Member Aguiar-Curry's legislation mandates new transparency requirements for California's residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs) through daily tracking and disclosure of direct care ratios - the hours worked by direct care staff divided by the number of residents receiving care.

The bill requires RCFEs to maintain 12 months of direct care ratio records and share this information through multiple channels. Facilities must disclose ratios to residents or their representatives upon admission and before any rate increases, providing written documentation signed by all parties. The public can access these ratios through facility websites, verbal communication within 24 hours, or written responses within two business days. RCFEs must also post daily ratios in visible locations like lobbies and lunchrooms.

To ensure consistent public awareness, facilities must include statements about direct care ratio availability on their websites and in advertising materials. The bill defines direct care staff as licensees or employees who provide hands-on resident care, including assistance with daily living activities. These requirements expand existing RCFE regulations under the California Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly Act, with violations subject to criminal penalties through the State Department of Social Services' oversight.