AB 462 (Stone, D-Monterey) was heard in the Assembly Government Organization Committee on April 10, 2013. The bill would require all residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs) serving six or fewer residents to install a sprinkler system by 2018. Existing law requires that RCFEs that care for six or more residents have an automatic fire sprinkler or extinguishing system in place.
Several members of the Assembly Committee on Governmental Organization were concerned that the cost burden (of $6,000 or more) would force the small RCFEs to close at a time when the senior population will need more options for care. Prior efforts (AB 759 and AB 2836) dating back to 2005 were vetoed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger due to similar concerns. AB 462 failed to pass out of committee with five “Aye” votes and six “No” votes. The bill is eligible to be re-heard in committee. It is unclear if the author will pursue another committee vote.
