SB-435
Health & Public Health

Residential care facilities for the elderly: emergency backup power source.

Engrossed
CA
2025-2026 Regular Session
0
0
Track

Key Takeaways

  • Requires elderly care facilities with 16+ residents to maintain 72-hour backup power systems by 2028.
  • Mandates facilities to install permanent generators or renewable energy systems with battery storage.
  • Requires facilities to maintain detailed emergency plans including evacuation and communication protocols.
  • Enforces quarterly emergency drills and annual staff training on disaster response procedures.

Summary

Senator Wahab's legislation mandates alternative power sources for California's larger residential care facilities for the elderly, requiring facilities licensed for 16 or more residents to maintain backup power systems capable of operating for at least 72 hours during outages. The measure, which takes effect January 1, 2028, allows facilities to choose between permanently installed generators with onsite fuel reserves or battery systems paired with renewable energy generation.

Facilities opting for generators must ensure 24-hour operational capability with sufficient fuel stored onsite for 72 hours of continuous use, or establish guaranteed emergency fuel delivery arrangements. Those selecting battery systems, whether standalone or combined with renewable generation, must maintain adequate storage capacity for 72 hours of operation. These facilities must also arrange contingency plans for generator delivery if power remains out beyond 48 hours and renewable generation proves insufficient.

The legislation expands existing emergency planning requirements, directing facilities to document their chosen alternative power source and implementation approach within mandatory disaster preparedness plans. These plans must detail evacuation procedures, assembly points, transportation protocols, and specific provisions for maintaining resident care during extended outages. The State Department of Social Services' Community Care Licensing Division will verify compliance during annual facility inspections.

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB435 Wahab et al
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Human Services Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Human Services Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Contacts

Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 9 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Anamarie FariasD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Aisha Wahab
Aisha WahabD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Angelique Ashby
Angelique AshbyD
California State Senator
40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Key Takeaways

  • Requires elderly care facilities with 16+ residents to maintain 72-hour backup power systems by 2028.
  • Mandates facilities to install permanent generators or renewable energy systems with battery storage.
  • Requires facilities to maintain detailed emergency plans including evacuation and communication protocols.
  • Enforces quarterly emergency drills and annual staff training on disaster response procedures.

Get Involved

Act Now!

Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.

Introduced By

Aisha Wahab
Aisha WahabD
California State Senator
Co-Author
Angelique Ashby
Angelique AshbyD
California State Senator

Summary

Senator Wahab's legislation mandates alternative power sources for California's larger residential care facilities for the elderly, requiring facilities licensed for 16 or more residents to maintain backup power systems capable of operating for at least 72 hours during outages. The measure, which takes effect January 1, 2028, allows facilities to choose between permanently installed generators with onsite fuel reserves or battery systems paired with renewable energy generation.

Facilities opting for generators must ensure 24-hour operational capability with sufficient fuel stored onsite for 72 hours of continuous use, or establish guaranteed emergency fuel delivery arrangements. Those selecting battery systems, whether standalone or combined with renewable generation, must maintain adequate storage capacity for 72 hours of operation. These facilities must also arrange contingency plans for generator delivery if power remains out beyond 48 hours and renewable generation proves insufficient.

The legislation expands existing emergency planning requirements, directing facilities to document their chosen alternative power source and implementation approach within mandatory disaster preparedness plans. These plans must detail evacuation procedures, assembly points, transportation protocols, and specific provisions for maintaining resident care during extended outages. The State Department of Social Services' Community Care Licensing Division will verify compliance during annual facility inspections.

40% progression
Bill has passed all readings in its first house and is ready to move to the other house (6/4/2025)

Key Dates

Next Step
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care
Next Step
Assembly Committee
Referred to the Assembly Standing Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care
Hearing has not been scheduled yet
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
Senate 3rd Reading SB435 Wahab et al
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Do pass
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Appropriations Hearing
Placed on suspense file
Senate Human Services Hearing
Senate Committee
Senate Human Services Hearing
Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Appropriations]
Introduced
Senate Floor
Introduced
Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.

Latest Voting History

June 4, 2025
PASS
Senate Floor
Vote on Senate Floor
AyesNoesNVRTotalResult
390140PASS

Contacts

Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Bill Author
Not Contacted
Not Contacted
0 of 9 row(s) selected.
Page 1 of 2
Select All Legislators
Profile
James GallagherR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Blanca RubioD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Joaquin ArambulaD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jasmeet BainsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Angelique AshbyD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Aisha WahabD
Senator
Bill Author
Profile
Anamarie FariasD
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
Jeff GonzalezR
Assemblymember
Committee Member
Profile
LaShae Sharp-CollinsD
Assemblymember
Committee Member