GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1995

H	2 

HOUSE BILL 935
Committee Substitute Favorable 5/9/95

Short Title:  Rest Home Alarms Mandated.	(Public)

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Sponsors:

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Referred to:  

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April 12, 1995

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT ALL ENTRANCES AND EXITS IN DOMICILIARY CARE FACILITIES BE EQUIPPED WITH ALARMS AND THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOP PROPOSED RULES AND REPORT TO THE NORTH CAROLINA STUDY COMMISSION ON AGING.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  All domiciliary care facilities except group homes for developmentally disabled adults licensed pursuant to Article 1 of Chapter 131D of the General Statutes shall have continually activated operational alarms at all entrances and exits effective January 1, 1996.  The alarms shall have the necessary volume to alert all occupants whenever these doorways are used.  All alarms shall be activated at all times except for those on doorways designated by the Department of Human Resources as the main entrances for visitors' use during specified daytime hours and in specific cases approved by the Department.  No alarms, including the ones on main entrances, shall be deactivated during the evening hours of 9:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m. unless a staff person is at the door to monitor the entrance and exit.
Sec. 2.  The Department of Human Resources shall develop proposed rules concerning the implementation of this act and shall also review the use of new technology, such as the use of bracelets with signaling devices, in developing methods of identifying, locating, and securing those residents who are known to wander.  The Department shall report its proposed rules and findings to the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging, established pursuant to Article 21 of Chapter 120 of the General Statutes prior to the adoption of the rules to implement this act.  The report may include recommended penalties that should be imposed on facilities that fail to maintain alarms and recommended legislation.
Sec. 3.  This act is effective upon ratification.