Health and care facilities: licensing during emergencies or disasters.

Senator Stern's legislation establishes new protocols for health and care facilities affected by declared emergencies, creating a framework for license suspension and operational continuity during disaster recovery. The bill requires skilled nursing facilities to conduct annual updates of their emergency response plans in consultation with local emergency coordinators, while mandating residential care facilities for the elderly to share disaster plans with medical health operational area coordinators.

For facilities rendered nonoperational by emergencies, the legislation allows entities to obtain a temporary suspension of their active license while maintaining their intent to resume operations. Facilities must notify relevant state departments within six months of an emergency declaration to qualify for this provision. The bill covers a broad range of entities, including skilled nursing facilities, residential care facilities, childcare centers, and substance use treatment programs.

The measure authorizes state departments to waive annual licensing fees for facilities being rebuilt after destruction, particularly those affected by fire damage. For programs licensed by multiple state agencies, the bill requires coordinated oversight of operational procedures. The State Department of Social Services must collaborate with local building, planning, and fire officials to expedite facility inspections and licensing processes during recovery periods.

The legislation stems from the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, which destroyed numerous licensed care facilities. The bill's provisions apply to state emergency proclamations, federal emergency declarations, major disaster declarations, and fire management assistance declarations.