AB 261 limits fees charged by residential care facilities for the elderly (signed into law)

Update: AB 261 was signed by Governor Brown on September 9.

The Consumer Federation of California supports AB 261 (Chesbro), which will limit the fees charged by Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFEs) after the death of a resident.

Paying fees for an RCFE residency after the death of a resident is a common complaint of the surviving family members.  AB 261 will improve communications between RCFEs, their residents, and their residents’ responsible parties about how fees and refunds will be handled after the death of a resident.  Most importantly, the bill will forbid the imposition of post-death fees once the resident’s personal property has been removed from the facility, and will end the bizarre practice of requiring residents give advanced notice of their death.