---
title: HB 1430. Community Health, Department of; license supportive senior housing communities; provide
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hb1430
cite_as: HB 1430, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1430
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1430.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1430/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73533
date: 2026-02-26
status: introduced
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 129
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1430.md?full=1
bill_number: HB 1430
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: bill
status_date: 2026-02-24
last_action: House Second Readers
sponsors:
- Darlene Taylor
- Katie Dempsey
- James Burchett
- Mark Newton
- Sharon Cooper
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HB1430/2025
upstream_id: 2123560
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
- senior housing
- assisted living regulation
- Medicaid waiver
- elder care licensing
- long-term care
---
# HB 1430. Community Health, Department of; license supportive senior housing communities; provide
## Text
House Bill 1430
By: Representatives Taylor of the 173rd, Dempsey of the 13th, Burchett of the 176th, Newton
of the 127th, and Cooper of the 45th
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
To amend Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,
relating to the regulation of hospitals and related institutions, so as to provide for the
Department of Community Health to license supportive senior housing communities; to
provide for definitions; to provide for type of residents; to provide for the employment of
certified medication aides; to provide for a written care plan for residents; to provide for
staffing and training requirements; to provide for financial stability requirements; to provide
for the development of rate methodology; to provide for a waiver request to be submitted;
to amend Titles 10, 16, 25, 26, 31, and 33, relating to commerce and trade, crimes and
offenses, fire protection and safety, food, drugs, and cosmetics, health, and insurance,
respectively, so as to provide for supportive senior housing communities in certain
definitions, protections, and procedures; to provide for unfair or deceptive practices; to
provide for the protection of elder persons and identity fraud; to provide for fire and safety
requirements; to provide for durable medical equipment supplier license requirements; to
provide for communications with ombudsman; to provide for notice of deficiency; to provide
for the Department of Community Health to establish meaningful distinctions between the
levels of care at licensed facilities; to provide for COVID-19 requirements; to provide for
employer based programs; to provide for influenza education information; to provide for
residential care facilities for the elderly; to provide for hospice and palliative care; to provide
background checks; to provide for the ombudsman program; to provide for remedies and
protections of residents; to provide for the drug repository program; to provide for continuing
care providers and facilities; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date;
to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
PART I
SECTION 1-1.
Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
regulation of hospitals and related institutions, is amended by revising Code
Section 31-7-12.6, which is reserved, as follows:
"31-7-12.6.
(a) As used in this Code section, the term:
(1) 'Direct care staff person' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code
Section 31-7-12.2.
(2) 'Limited nursing services' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code
Section 31-7-12.2.
(3) 'Nursing staff person' means a certified nurse aide, certified medication aide, licensed
practical nurse, registered nurse, registered professional nurse, or advanced practice
registered nurse.
(4) 'Supportive senior care' means and includes:
(A) Personal services, which includes, but is not limited to, individual assistance with
or supervision of self-administered medication and essential activities of daily living
such as eating, bathing, grooming, dressing, and toileting;
(B) The administration of medications by a medication aide in accordance with this
Code section;
(C) The provision of limited nursing services;
(D) Weekly laundry and housekeeping services;
(E) Periodic scheduled medical transportation; and
(F) Social and recreational programming.
(5) 'Supportive senior housing community' means a facility with a minimum of 25 beds
and a maximum of 150 units in which each resident has his or her own apartment that is
leased under a separate agreement and where more than 50 percent of the resident
population is composed of recipients of medical assistance as defined in Code Section
49-4-141 and that is licensed as a supportive senior housing community pursuant to this
article.
(b) The department is authorized to license supportive senior housing communities to
provide supportive senior care to individuals as established in this Code section.
(c) A supportive senior housing community shall not admit or retain an individual who is
in need of 24 hour per day comprehensive nursing care or continuous medical or nursing
care; provided, however, that supportive senior care may be provided by direct care staff
persons, limited nursing services may be provided by direct care staff persons or nursing
staff persons, and certain medications may be administered by certified medication aides
pursuant to subsection (d) of this Code section.
(d)(1) A supportive senior housing community may employ certified medication aides
for the purpose of performing the technical aspects of the administration of certain
medications in accordance with this subsection. A supportive senior housing community
that employs one or more certified medication aides shall have a safe medication and
treatment administration system that meets all the requirements of this subsection.
(2) A supportive senior housing community shall not employ an individual as a certified
medication aide unless such individual is listed in the medication aide registry established
and maintained by the department pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (g) of Code
Section 31-7-12.2, is in good standing with the department, and has met all of the
qualifications in paragraph (3) of such subsection.
(3) A supportive senior housing community shall annually conduct a comprehensive
clinical skills competency review of each certified medication aide employed by such
community.
(4) A certified medication aide who meets the criteria established in this Code section
shall be permitted to perform the following tasks in a supportive senior housing
community in accordance with the written instructions of a physician:
(A) Administer physician ordered oral, ophthalmic, topical, otic, nasal, vaginal, and
rectal medications;
(B) Administer insulin, epinephrine, and B12 pursuant to physician direction and
protocol;
(C) Administer medications via a metered dose inhaler;
(D) Conduct finger stick blood glucose testing following established protocol;
(E) Administer a commercially prepared disposable enema as ordered by a physician;
(F) Assist residents in the supervision of self-administration of medications; and
(G) Administer liquid morphine to a resident of such community who is the patient of
a licensed hospice, pursuant to a hospice physician's written order that contains specific
instructions for indication, dosage, frequency, and route of administration, provided that
the licensed hospice consents to the use and administration of liquid morphine as
described in this subparagraph. The certified medication aide shall observe and
document the resident's need for all 'as needed' (PRN) liquid morphine in such
resident's record, and such indications of need may include verbalizations of pain,
groaning, grimacing, or restlessness. The initial dose of any liquid morphine
administered pursuant to this subparagraph shall be administered and assessed by a
licensed hospice healthcare professional to observe and address any adverse reactions
to such medication. Such community shall ensure that any certified medication aides
who will be administering liquid morphine to any hospice patients in such community
pursuant to this subparagraph receive adequate training from a licensed hospice on the
safe and proper administration of liquid morphine prior to such administration and on
an annual basis thereafter. Such community shall maintain documentation of all
training provided and shall adhere to all security and storage requirements for liquid
morphine required under state and federal law, including but not limited to any rules
promulgated by the department. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the supply of liquid
morphine on-site at such community shall be limited to no more than 50 ml for each
hospice patient in the assisted living community and shall only be administered under
limited circumstances when a licensed hospice healthcare professional is not otherwise
available. The department shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement this
subparagraph.
(5) A certified medication aide shall record in a medication administration record all
medications that such medication aide has personally administered to a resident of a
supportive senior housing community and any refusal of a resident to take a medication.
A certified medication aide shall observe a resident to whom medication has been
administered and shall report any changes in the condition of such resident to the personal
representative or legal surrogate of such resident.
(6) All medication administered by a certified medication aide in accordance with this
subsection shall be in unit or multidose packaging.
(7) A supportive senior housing community that employs one or more certified
medication aides to administer medications in accordance with this subsection shall
secure the services of a licensed pharmacist to perform the following duties:
(A) Perform a quarterly review of the drug regimen of each resident of such
community and report any irregularities to the administrator of such community;
(B) Remove for proper disposal any drugs that are expired, discontinued, in a
deteriorated condition, or when the resident for whom such drugs were ordered is no
longer a resident;
(C) Establish or review policies and procedures for safe and effective drug therapy,
distribution, use, and control; and
(D) Monitor compliance with established policies and procedures for medication
handling and storage.
(8) A supportive senior housing community that employs one or more certified
medication aides to administer medications in accordance with this subsection shall
ensure that each certified medication aide receives ongoing medication training as
prescribed by the department. A registered professional nurse or pharmacist shall
conduct random medication administration observations on a quarterly basis and report
any issues to the administrator of such community.
(e) A supportive senior housing community shall establish a written care plan for each
resident. Such care plan shall describe the needs of the resident and how such needs will
be met.
(f) A supportive senior housing community shall be required to meet the following staffing
and training requirements:
(1) Each direct care staff person in the supportive senior housing community receives
initial and annual training covering topics specified by the department to ensure a
demonstrated knowledge and understanding of caring for elderly and disabled adults; and
(2) Staff at the supportive senior housing community shall be sufficient in number,
qualifications, and training to meet the 24 hour scheduled and unscheduled needs of the
residents at such community and to provide supportive senior care and limited nursing
services provided at such community. The number, qualifications, and training of staff
shall depend on skills required to provide for the specific needs of the residents; provided,
however, that the supportive senior housing community meets the following minimum
staffing requirements:
(A) At least two on-site direct care staff persons at all times;
(B) An average monthly minimum on-site staffing ratio of one direct care staff person
for every 25 residents during all waking hours and one direct care staff person for
every 40 residents during all nonwaking hours; and
(C) A registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse available as follows:
(i) A minimum of eight hours per week when such community has up to 30 residents;
(ii) A minimum of 16 hours per week when such community has between 31 and 60
residents;
(iii) A minimum of 24 hours per week when such community has between 61 and 90
residents; and
(iv) A minimum of 40 hours per week when such community has more than 90
residents.
(g) All supportive senior housing communities shall be required to meet certain financial
stability requirements. An applicant or a licensee shall:
(1) Upon initial application for a supportive senior housing community license or upon
a change of ownership, provide a financial stability affidavit from a certified public
accountant affirming the applicant's or licensee's financial status. The department shall
establish a mandatory financial stability affidavit form pursuant to rules and regulations
to be used for purposes of this paragraph and shall assess the applicant's or licensee's
financial status, in its own discretion, based on such financial stability affidavit;
(2) Provide a minimum of 60 days' written notice to the department and all residents of
any impending bankruptcy or property eviction that may force discharge or relocation of
residents or otherwise adversely impact the provision of safe care and oversight; and
(3) Provide a minimum of 14 days' written notice to the department and all residents of
any impending change of ownership that may force discharge or relocation of residents
or otherwise adversely impact the provision of safe care and oversight.
(h) The department shall:
(1) Collaborate with industry stakeholders to develop a rate methodology to ensure
wide-scale access to supportive senior housing communities. In creating a rate
methodology, the department shall verify the adequacy of the rate to support supportive
senior housing communities financed with low-income housing tax credits and to satisfy
the requisite underwriting metrics for financial viability; and
(2) No later than June 30, 2026, prepare and submit a waiver request to the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services of the United States Department of Health and Human
Services. Further, upon approval of the waiver, the department shall be authorized to
take all necessary steps to implement the terms and conditions of the waiver without any
further legislative action.
(i) The waiver provided for in paragraph (2) of subsection (h) of this Code section shall
be targeted and limited to individuals who satisfy the following requirements for age,
residency status, financial eligibility, and level of care:
(1) Individuals who are 65 years of age or older at the time of initial eligibility
determination;
(2) Individuals who are residents of this state and eligible for the state Medicaid program
under an approved eligibility category;
(3) Individuals whose countable income does not exceed 300 percent of the benefit rates
determined pursuant to Title XVI of the federal Social Security Act for supplemental
security income, as adjusted annually, and who meet all other applicable Medicaid
financial eligibility requirements, including resource limits, pursuant to federal law and
regulation; and
(4) Individuals who meet the nursing facility level of care criteria as defined under the
state Medicaid program and in accordance with 42 U.S.C. Section 1396r, 42 C.F.R.
Sections 440.40 and 441.301, and other applicable federal regulations. Reserved."
PART II
SECTION 2-1.
Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia, relating to commerce and trade, is amended in
Part 2 of Article 15 of Chapter 1, the "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975," by revising
paragraph (26) of subsection (b) of Code Section 10-1-393, relating to unfair or deceptive
practices in consumer transactions unlawful and examples, as follows:
"(26) With respect to any individual or facility providing personal care services, or
assisted living care, or supportive senior care:
(A) Any person or entity not duly licensed or registered as a personal care home, or
assisted living community, or supportive senior housing community formally or
informally offering, advertising to, or soliciting the public for residents or referrals; or
(B) Any personal care home, as defined in subsection (a) of Code Section 31-7-12, or
any assisted living community, as defined in Code Section 31-7-12.2, or any supportive
senior housing community, as defined in Code Section 31-7-12.6, offering, advertising,
or soliciting the public to provide services:
(i) Which are outside the scope of personal care services, or assisted living care, or
supportive senior care, respectively; and
(ii) For which it has not been specifically authorized.
Nothing in this subparagraph prohibits advertising by a personal care home, or assisted
living community, or supportive senior housing community for services authorized by
the Department of Community Health under a waiver or variance pursuant to
subsection (b) of Code Section 31-2-7.
As used in this paragraph, the term: For purposes of this paragraph, 'personal care' means
protective care and watchful oversight of a resident who needs a watchful environment
but who does not have an illness, injury, or disability which requires chronic or
convalescent care including medical and nursing services, and 'assisted living care'
includes services provided for in Code Section 31-7-12.2, and 'supportive senior care'
includes services provided for in Code Section 31-7-12.6. The provisions of this
paragraph shall be enforced following consultation with the Department of Community
Health which shall retain primary responsibility for issues relating to licensure of any
individual or facility providing personal care services;"
SECTION 2-2.
Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to crimes and offenses, is
amended in Article 8 of Chapter 5, relating to protection of elder persons, by revising
paragraph (7) of Code Section 16-5-100, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(7) 'Long-term care facility' means any skilled nursing facility, intermediate care home,
assisted living community, supportive senior housing community, or personal care home
subject to regulation and licensure by the Department of Community Health and any
community living arrangement licensed by the Department of Behavioral Health and
Developmental Disabilities pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 13 of Title 37."
SECTION 2-3.
Said title is further amended in Article 8 of Chapter 9, relating to identity fraud, by revising
paragraph (4) of Code Section 16-9-120, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(4) 'Health care records' means records however maintained and in whatever form
regarding an individual's health, including, but not limited to, doctors' and nurses'
examinations and other notes, examination notes of other medical professionals, hospital
records, rehabilitation facility records, nursing home records, assisted living facility
records, supportive senior housing community records, results of medical tests, X-rays,
CT scans, MRI scans, vision examinations, pharmacy records, prescriptions, hospital
charts, surgical records, mental health treatments and counseling, dental records, and
physical therapy notes and evaluations."
SECTION 2-4.
Title 25 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to fire protection and safety, is
amended in Chapter 2, relating to regulation of fire and other hazards to persons and property
generally, by revising subparagraph (b)(1)(J) of Code Section 25-2-13, relating to fire safety
requirements for buildings or structures presenting special hazards, as follows:
"(J) Personal care homes, and assisted living communities, and supportive senior
housing communities required to be licensed as such by the Department of Community
Health and having at least seven beds for nonfamily adults, and the Commissioner shall,
pursuant to Code Section 25-2-4, by rule adopt state minimum fire safety standards for
those homes, and any structure constructed as or converted to a personal care home on
or after April 15, 1986, shall be deemed to be a proposed building pursuant to
subsection (d) of Code Section 25-2-14 and that structure may be required to be
furnished with a sprinkler system meeting the standards established by the
Commissioner if he deems this necessary for proper fire safety."
SECTION 2-5.
Title 26 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to food, drugs, and cosmetics,
is amended in Article 1 of Chapter 4, relating to general provisions relative to pharmacists
and pharmacies, by revising paragraph (18.1) of Code Section 26-4-5, relating to definitions,
as follows:
"(18.1) 'Institution' means any licensed hospital, nursing home, assisted living
community, personal care home, hospice, health clinic, or prison clinic. Such term shall
include a supportive senior housing community for the limited purpose of state licensure;
provided, however, that such community shall not be deemed an institution excluded
from home and community based settings under 42 C.F.R. Section 441.530."
SECTION 2-6.
Said title is further amended in Article 3 of Chapter 4, relating to practice of pharmacy, by
adding a new paragraph to subsection (g) of Code Section 26-4-51, relating to durable
medical equipment supplier license, requirements, exemptions, and rules and regulations, to
read as follows:
"(6.1) Supportive senior housing communities;"
SECTION 2-7.
Said title is further amended in Article 13 of Chapter 4, relating to safe medications practice,
by revising paragraph (3) of Code Section 26-4-212, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(3) 'Institution' means any licensed hospital, nursing home, assisted living community,
personal care home, or hospice. Such term shall include a supportive senior housing
community for the limited purpose of state licensure; provided, however, that such
community shall not be deemed an institution excluded from home and community based
settings under 42 C.F.R. Section 441.530."
SECTION 2-8.
Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health, is amended in Article 1
of Chapter 7, relating to regulation of hospitals and related institutions, by revising paragraph
(4) of Code Section 31-7-1, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(4) 'Institution' means:
(A) Any building, facility, or place in which are provided two or more beds and other
facilities and services that are used for persons received for examination, diagnosis,
treatment, surgery, maternity care, nursing care, assisted living care, supportive senior
care, or personal care for periods continuing for 24 hours or longer and which is
classified by the department, as provided for in this chapter, as either a hospital, nursing
home, assisted living community, or personal care home; such term shall include a
supportive senior housing community for the limited purpose of state licensure;
provided, however, that such community shall not be deemed an institution excluded
from home and community-based settings under 42 C.F.R. Section 441.530;
(B) Any health facility wherein abortion procedures under subsections (b) and (c) of
Code Section 16-12-141 are performed or are to be performed;
(C) Any building or facility, not under the operation or control of a hospital, which is
primarily devoted to the provision of surgical treatment to patients not requiring
hospitalization and which is classified by the department as an ambulatory surgical
treatment center;
(D) Any fixed or mobile specimen collection center or health testing facility where
specimens are taken from the human body for delivery to and examination in a licensed
clinical laboratory or where certain measurements such as height and weight
determination, limited audio and visual tests, and electrocardiograms are made,
excluding public health services operated by the state, its counties, or municipalities;
(E) Any building or facility where human births occur on a regular and ongoing basis
and which is classified by the department as a birthing center;
(F) Any building or facility which is devoted to the provision of treatment and
rehabilitative care for periods continuing for 24 hours or longer for persons who have
traumatic brain injury, as defined in Code Section 37-3-1; or
(G) Any freestanding imaging center where magnetic resonance imaging, computed
tomography (CT) scanning, positron emission tomography (PET) scanning, positron
emission tomography/computed tomography, and other advanced imaging services as
defined by the department by rule, but not including X-rays, fluoroscopy, or ultrasound
services, are conducted in a location or setting not affiliated or attached to a hospital or
in the offices of an individual private physician or single group practice of physicians
and conducted exclusively for patients of that physician or group practice.
Such term shall exclude all physicians' and dentists' private offices and treatment rooms
in which such physicians or dentists primarily see, consult with, and treat patients."
SECTION 2-9.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising subsection (d) of Code Section 31-7-3,
relating to requirements for permits to operate institutions, as follows:
"(d)(1) When an application for licensure to operate a personal care home, as defined in
subsection (a) of Code Section 31-7-12, or an assisted living community, as defined in
Code Section 31-7-12.2, or a supportive senior housing community, as defined in Code
Section 31-7-12.6, has been made, the department shall inform the office of the state
long-term care ombudsman of the name and address of the applicant prior to issuing
authority to operate or receive residents and shall provide to the ombudsman program an
opportunity to provide to the department information relevant to the applicant's fitness
to operate as a licensed personal care home, or an assisted living community, or a
supportive senior housing community.
(2) The department may consider any information provided under this subsection, where
verified by appropriate licensing procedures, in determining whether an applicant meets
the requirements for licensing.
(3) The department shall promulgate regulations setting forth the procedures by which
the long-term care ombudsman program shall report information to the department or its
designee as required by this subsection, including a consistent format for the reporting
of information, safeguards to protect confidentiality, and specified types of information
which shall be routinely provided by the long-term care ombudsman program.
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to provide any authority to the
long-term care ombudsman program to license or refuse to license the operation of a
personal care home, or an assisted living community, or a supportive senior housing
community."
SECTION 2-10.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising subsection (a) of Code
Section 31-7-3.2, relating to notice requirements for cited deficiency, use of regulatory
violations in civil actions, and use of survey results in advertisements, as follows:
"(a) A personal care home, assisted living community, supportive senior housing
community, nursing home, or intermediate care home licensed under this article shall give
notice in the event that such facility has been cited by the department for any deficiency
for which the facility has received notice of the imposition of any sanction available under
federal or state laws or regulations, except where a plan of correction is the only sanction
to be imposed."
SECTION 2-11.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising Code Section 31-7-12.3, relating to
rules, regulations, and waivers for personal care homes and assisted living communities, as
follows:
"31-7-12.3.
The department shall adopt rules and regulations to implement Code Sections 31-7-12, and
31-7-12.2, and 31-7-12.6. Notwithstanding the provision of limited nursing services by
assisted living communities and supportive senior housing communities, such rules and
regulations shall establish meaningful distinctions between the levels of care provided by
personal care homes, assisted living communities, supportive senior housing communities,
and nursing homes but shall not curtail the scope or levels of services provided by personal
care homes or nursing homes as of June 30, 2011; provided, however, that nothing in this
chapter shall preclude the department from issuing waivers or variances to personal care
homes of the rules and regulations established pursuant to this Code section.
Notwithstanding Code Section 31-7-12.2, the department shall not grant a waiver or
variance unless:
(1) There are adequate standards affording protection for the health and safety of
residents of the personal care home;
(2) The resident of the personal care home provides a medical assessment conducted by
a licensed health care professional who is unaffiliated with the personal care home which
identifies the needs of the resident; and
(3) The department finds that the personal care home can provide or arrange for the
appropriate level of care for the resident."
SECTION 2-12.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising subsection (b) of Code
Section 31-7-12.5, relating to notification and other requirements for COVID-19 infections
in personal care homes, as follows:
"(b) Each personal care home with 25 or more beds, each assisted living community,
supportive senior housing community, and each nursing home licensed in this state shall:
(1) Inform its residents and their representatives or legal surrogates by 5:00 P.M. the next
calendar day following the occurrence of either a single confirmed infection of
COVID-19 or another airborne infectious disease identified by the department or the
federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a threat to public health, or three
or more residents or staff with new-onset of respiratory symptoms occurring within 72
hours of each other. Such information shall:
(A) Not include personally identifiable information;
(B) Include information on mitigating actions implemented to prevent or reduce the
risk of transmission, including if normal operations of the facility will be altered; and
(C) Include any cumulative updates for residents and their representatives or legal
surrogates at least weekly or by 5:00 P.M. the next calendar day following the
occurrence of any subsequent confirmed infection of COVID-19, or whenever three or
more residents or staff with new onset of respiratory symptoms occurs within 72 hours
of each other;
(2) Maintain a minimum of a seven-day supply of protective masks, surgical gowns, eye
protection, and gloves sufficient to protect all residents and staff;
(3) Maintain and publish for its residents and their representatives or legal surrogates
policies and procedures pertaining to infection control and mitigation within their
facilities and update such policies and procedures annually; and
(4) As part of the facility's disaster preparedness plan required pursuant to subsection (c)
of Code Section 31-7-3 and department rules and regulations, include an epidemic and
pandemic plan for influenza and other infectious diseases which conforms to department
and federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards that contains the
following minimum elements:
(A) Protocols for surveillance and detection of epidemic and pandemic diseases in
residents and staff;
(B) A communication plan for sharing information with public health authorities,
residents, residents' representatives or their legal surrogates, and staff;
(C) An education and training plan for residents and staff regarding infection control
protocols;
(D) An infection control plan that addresses visitation, cohorting measures, sick leave
and return-to-work policies, and testing and immunization policies; and
(E) A surge capacity plan that addresses protocols for contingency staffing and supply
shortages."
SECTION 2-13.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising subsection (b) of Code
Section 31-7-12.8, relating to certification as nurse aide, employer sponsored training and
competency examination programs, and provisional practice by military medical personnel,
as follows:
"(b) The department shall approve employer based programs sponsored by or offered in
assisted living communities, supportive senior housing communities, private home care
providers, personal care homes, or other long-term care facilities licensed by the
department for certified nurse aide training and competency examination programs as
determined by the department."
SECTION 2-14.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising subsections (a) and (b) of Code
Section 31-7-21, relating to provision of influenza education information to assisted living
community residents, as follows:
"(a) Each assisted living community and supportive senior housing community shall
annually provide to each of its residents, no later than September 1 of each year,
educational information on influenza disease. Such information shall include, but is not
limited to, the risks associated with influenza disease; the availability, effectiveness, and
known contraindications of the influenza immunization; causes and symptoms of influenza;
and the means in which it is spread. Provision of the appropriate and current Vaccine
Information Statement as provided by the federal Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention shall be deemed to comply with this subsection.
(b) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to require an assisted living community
or supportive senior housing community to provide or pay for any vaccination against
influenza for its residents."
SECTION 2-15.
Said title is further amended in Article 5 of Chapter 7, relating to residential care facilities
for the elderly authorities, by revising paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of Code
Section 31-7-111, relating to legislative findings, as follows:
"(1) There exists in this state a seriously inadequate supply of and a critical need for
facilities which can furnish the comprehensive services required by elderly persons in a
single location, including, without limitation, residential care and the types of services
provided in skilled nursing homes, intermediate care homes, assisted living communities,
supportive senior housing communities, and personal care homes (hereinafter referred to
as 'residential care facilities for the elderly');"
SECTION 2-16.
Said title is further amended in said article by revising subparagraph (A) of paragraph (7) of
Code Section 31-7-112, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(A) Any one or more buildings or structures to be used in providing at a single
location the comprehensive services required by the elderly, including, without
limitation, residential care and the types of services provided in skilled nursing homes,
intermediate care homes, assisted living communities, supportive senior housing
communities, and personal care homes supplied with all necessary or useful
furnishings, machinery, equipment, parking facilities, landscaping, and facilities for
outdoor storage, all as determined by the authority, which determination shall be final
and not subject to review; provided, however, that no single project or residential care
facility shall be required to render all types of services and levels of care referred to
above. There may be included as part of any such project all improvements necessary
to the full utilization thereof, including, without limitation, site preparation; roads and
streets; sidewalks; water supply; outdoor lighting; belt line railroad; railroad sidings and
lead tracks; bridges; causeways; terminals for railroad, automotive, and air
transportation; transportation facilities incidental to the project; and the dredging and
improving of harbors and waterways. However, none of the aforementioned
improvements shall be the primary purpose of any project;"
SECTION 2-17.
Said title is further amended in Article 9 of Chapter 7, relating to hospice care, by revising
paragraph (4) of Code Section 31-7-172, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(4) 'Health care facility' means hospitals; other special care units, including but not
limited to podiatric facilities; skilled nursing facilities; intermediate care facilities;
assisted living communities; supportive senior housing communities; personal care
homes; ambulatory surgical or obstetrical facilities; health maintenance organizations;
home health agencies; and diagnostic, treatment, or rehabilitation centers."
SECTION 2-18.
Said title is further amended in Article 10 of Chapter 7, relating to palliative care, by revising
paragraph (2) of Code Section 31-7-191, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(2) 'Healthcare facility' means hospitals; other special care units, including but not
limited to podiatric facilities; skilled nursing facilities; intermediate care facilities;
assisted living communities; supportive senior housing communities; personal care
homes; ambulatory surgical or obstetrical facilities; health maintenance organizations;
home health agencies; and diagnostic, treatment, or rehabilitation centers."
SECTION 2-19.
Said title is further amended in Article 14 of Chapter 7, relating to Georgia Long-term Care
Background Check Program, by revising subparagraph (B) of paragraph (8) of Code
Section 31-7-351, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(B) An assisted living community required to be licensed under Code
Section 31-7-12.2 or a supportive senior housing community required to be licensed
under Code Section 31-7-12.6;"
SECTION 2-20.
Said title is further amended in Article 3 of Chapter 8, relating to long-term care ombudsman
program, by revising paragraph (2) of Code Section 31-8-51, relating to definitions, as
follows:
"(2) 'Long-term care facility' means any skilled nursing home, intermediate care home,
private home care provider, assisted living community, supportive senior housing
community, or personal care home now or hereafter subject to regulation and licensure
by the Department of Community Health."
SECTION 2-21.
Said title is further amended in Article 4 of Chapter 8, relating to reporting abuse or
exploitation of residents in long-term care facilities, by revising paragraph (3) of Code
Section 31-8-81, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(3) 'Long-term care facility' or 'facility' means any skilled nursing home, intermediate
care home, assisted living community, supportive senior housing community, or personal
care home now or hereafter subject to regulation and licensure by the department."
SECTION 2-22.
Said title is further amended in Article 5A of Chapter 8, relating to remedies for residents of
personal care homes, by revising paragraph (5) of Code Section 31-8-132, relating to
definitions, as follows:
"(5) 'Personal care home' or 'home' means a facility as defined in Code Section 31-7-12
and shall include any assisted living community as defined in paragraph (3) of
subsection (b) of Code Section 31-7-12.2 and any supportive senior housing community
as defined in paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Code Section 31-7-12.6 that is subject to
regulation and licensure by the department."
SECTION 2-23.
Said title is further amended in Article 10 of Chapter 8, relating to drug repository program,
by adding a new subparagraph to paragraph (7) of Code Section 31-8-300, relating to
definitions, to read as follows:
"(C.1) Supportive senior housing community licensed pursuant to Code
Section 31-7-12.6;"
SECTION 2-24.
Title 33 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to insurance, is amended in
Chapter 45, relating to continuing care providers and facilities, by revising paragraphs (1),
(8), and (15) of Code Section 33-45-1, relating to definitions, as follows:
"(1) 'Continuing care' means furnishing pursuant to a continuing care agreement:
(A) Lodging that is not:
(i) In a skilled nursing facility, as such term is defined in Code Section 31-6-2;
(ii) An intermediate care facility, as such term is defined in Code Section 31-6-2;
(iii) An assisted living community, as such term is defined in Code Section
31-7-12.2, or a supportive senior housing community, as such term is defined in Code
Section 31-7-12.6; or
(iv) A personal care home, as such term is defined in Code Section 31-7-12;
(B) Food; and
(C) Nursing care provided in a facility or in another setting designated by the
agreement for continuing care to an individual not related by consanguinity or affinity
to the provider furnishing such care upon payment of an entrance fee including skilled
or intermediate nursing services and, at the discretion of the continuing care provider,
personal care services including, without limitation, assisted living care services
designated by the continuing care agreement, including such services being provided
pursuant to a contract to ensure the availability of such services to an individual not
related by consanguinity or affinity to the provider furnishing such care upon payment
of an entrance fee.
Such term shall not include continuing care at home."
"(8) 'Limited continuing care' means furnishing pursuant to a continuing care agreement:
(A) Lodging that is not:
(i) In a skilled nursing facility, as such term is defined in Code Section 31-6-2;
(ii) An intermediate care facility, as such term is defined in Code Section 31-6-2;
(iii) An assisted living community, as such term is defined in Code
Section 31-7-12.2, or a supportive senior housing community, as such term is defined
in Code Section 31-7-12.6; or
(iv) A personal care home, as such term is defined in Code Section 31-7-12;
(B) Food; and
(C) Personal services, whether such personal services are provided in a facility such
as a personal care home or an assisted living community or in another setting
designated by the continuing care agreement, to an individual not related by
consanguinity or affinity to the provider furnishing such care upon payment of an
entrance fee.
Such term shall not include continuing care at home."
"(15) 'Residential unit' means a residence or apartment in which a resident lives that is
not a skilled nursing facility as defined in Code Section 31-6-2, an intermediate care
facility as defined in Code Section 31-6-2, an assisted living community as defined in
Code Section 31-7-12.2, a supportive senior housing community, as such term is defined
in Code Section 31-7-12.6, or a personal care home as defined in Code Section 31-7-12."
PART III
SECTION 3-1.
This Act shall become effective upon its approval by the Governor or upon its becoming law
without such approval.
SECTION 3-2.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.
## Summaries written by Georgia Commons
The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the bill. Quote the text, not the summary.
House Bill 1430 would create a new licensed category called supportive senior housing communities in Georgia, letting facilities house older Medicaid recipients with medication aide support and setting staffing, financial, and Medicaid waiver rules for them.
### Plain-language summary
Georgia currently licenses personal care homes and assisted living communities for seniors and people with disabilities, but has no license category for supportive senior housing communities. HB1430 fills in a reserved section of state law (O.C.G.A. ยง 31-7-12.6) to create this new type of facility: buildings with 25 to 150 units where residents have their own leased apartments and where more than half the residents receive Medicaid. The bill lets these communities employ certified medication aides to handle medications, requires written care plans for each resident, sets minimum staffing ratios and nursing hours, and requires financial stability affidavits and advance notice before bankruptcy, eviction, or ownership changes.
The bill also updates dozens of other Georgia laws, covering consumer protection, elder abuse, fire safety, pharmacy licensing, hospice care, background checks, and the long-term care ombudsman program, to include supportive senior housing communities alongside existing categories like assisted living communities and personal care homes. It directs the Department of Community Health to develop a Medicaid rate methodology and submit a federal waiver request by June 30, 2026, limited to Georgians 65 or older who meet income and nursing-level-of-care criteria. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.
### What it does
- Creates a new state license category, supportive senior housing communities, for buildings of 25 to 150 units serving mostly Medicaid-eligible seniors in their own leased apartments.
- Allows these communities to employ certified medication aides to administer specific medications, including limited hospice morphine use under strict conditions.
- Sets minimum staffing requirements, including at least two direct care staff on-site at all times and scaled nursing hours based on resident count.
- Requires financial stability affidavits from a certified public accountant and advance written notice to residents before bankruptcy, eviction, or ownership changes.
- Directs the Department of Community Health to develop a Medicaid rate methodology and submit a federal waiver request by June 30, 2026 for eligible seniors.
- Amends over 20 existing Georgia statutes across six titles to add supportive senior housing communities to definitions covering consumer protection, elder abuse, fire safety, pharmacy law, hospice care, and background checks.
### Who it affects
Elderly Georgians who qualify for Medicaid and need housing with some personal care support, operators seeking to build or run these new facilities, certified medication aides and nursing staff, the Department of Community Health, the long-term care ombudsman program, and residents' families involved in care planning and financial notices.
### Why it matters
Georgia seniors who need some help with daily activities but not full nursing home care would gain a new housing option combining private apartments with medication assistance, largely aimed at Medicaid recipients. Facility operators would face specific staffing, financial disclosure, and licensing rules, and the state would need federal approval to fund the program through Medicaid.
### Key provisions
- Section 1-1 defines a supportive senior housing community as 25 to 150 units where more than half of residents receive Medicaid, and details what supportive senior care includes.
- Section 1-1 sets minimum staffing ratios: one direct care staff person per 25 residents during waking hours, one per 40 during nonwaking hours, plus scaled nursing hours based on facility size.
- Section 1-1 requires financial stability affidavits, 60 days' notice before bankruptcy or eviction risks, and 14 days' notice before ownership changes.
- Section 1-1(h) requires the Department of Community Health to submit a Medicaid waiver request to federal regulators by June 30, 2026, targeting residents 65 or older with limited income and nursing-level care needs.
- Sections 2-1 through 2-24 amend Titles 10, 16, 25, 26, 31, and 33 to insert 'supportive senior housing community' into existing definitions for consumer protection, elder fraud, fire safety, pharmacy licensing, hospice, palliative care, background checks, and the ombudsman program.
- Section 3-1 makes the law effective immediately upon the Governor's signature.
## Status
- Status: Introduced (2026-02-24)
- Last action: House Second Readers (2026-02-26)
- Sponsors: Darlene Taylor, Katie Dempsey, James Burchett, Mark Newton, Sharon Cooper
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/73533
> The history, votes, and amendments (129 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hb1430.md?full=1