Committee hears testimony on bill to require certification, disclosures for memory care units

Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5,337 would require assisted living facilities that operate memory care floors or units to obtain certification from the Department of Social and Health Services beginning July 1, 2026, and would prohibit facilities from marketing themselves as memory care unless certified.

The bill, introduced to the House Healthcare & Wellness Committee, defines memory care as assisted living that markets itself as dedicated to persons with dementia or that uses restricted egress to prevent residents with cognitive impairment from leaving. Chris Blake, committee staff, summarized the measure and said certification requirements include a staffing plan, semiannual resident assessments, mandated staff dementia training, outdoor areas and disaster preparedness that accounts for dementia residents.

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