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

Senator Wahab's legislation mandates alternative power sources in California's residential care facilities for the elderly, requiring facilities to maintain backup power systems capable of sustaining operations for 72 hours during outages starting January 1, 2027. The measure provides facilities with two compliance pathways: installation of permanent generators with adequate fuel reserves, or implementation of battery systems combined with renewable energy generation.

The bill establishes specific operational requirements for each power solution. Facilities choosing generators must ensure 24-hour operational capability and maintain either onsite fuel storage or guaranteed emergency delivery arrangements. Those opting for battery and renewable systems must demonstrate sufficient storage capacity while maintaining contingency plans for generator deployment if power remains disrupted beyond 48 hours.

These new requirements integrate into existing emergency preparedness frameworks for elderly care facilities. The legislation requires facilities to document their chosen power solution in mandatory emergency plans, train staff on system operations, and make this information available to residents, families, and emergency responders. The Community Care Licensing Division will verify compliance during annual facility inspections, with violations constituting misdemeanor offenses under state law.