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Committee advances bill to increase residency cap for small licensed 'homes for the aged'
Summary
HB 18‑99 would raise the minimum residents allowed in a Tier 2 'residential home for the aged' from four to six; sponsor said agencies consulted and found health and safety would not be compromised. Committee approved 7–0.
Representative Slater (speaker 12) described HB 18‑99 as a measure to change licensing thresholds for "residential homes for the aged," explaining the Department of Disability and Aging and the Health Facilities Commission license such homes and that the bill raises a Tier 2 minimum from four to six residents.
"These homes for the age, yes, they do have staff members that are there at the home," Slater said in response to a question about staffing and safety. Representative Mitchell (speaker 7) voiced support but raised a neighborhood‑notification concern, asking whether communities should receive notice when a home expands capacity; Slater replied that notification might be addressed during licensure rulemaking rather than in statewide legislation.
The committee voted to advance HB 18‑99 by voice/roll call (7 ayes, 0 nays). Sponsor and members framed the change as intended to preserve options for seniors to remain in community settings while maintaining safety oversight through licensure.
