California’s Comprehensive Legal Support

California has the strongest protections and laws for family councils in the nation!
In January 2001, State Bill 1551 (Dunn) became law. This California law added significant rights for family councils in nursing homes and new obligations for facilities with regard to family councils.

• Family councils shall be allowed to meet in a common room of the facility at least once a month.
• The facility must designate a staff person who is responsible for providing assistance and responding to written requests that result from family council meetings.
• The facility must responds to written requests or concerns of the family council within 10 days.
• The facility must provide the council with adequate space to post notices, minutes, newsletters or other information pertaining to the operation or interest of the family council.
• The facility shall include notices of the family council meetings in quarterly mailings.
• The facility shall inform family members and representatives of new residents of the council’s existence and of the time, place and date of meetings.
• Facilities are prohibited from willfully interfering with the formation, maintenance or promotion of a family council. “Willful interference” includes discrimination, retaliation or the willful scheduling of events in conflict with the previously scheduled family council meeting.
• Violation of the law can result in a citation and penalty of up to $1000.

1/6/2016