AN ACT to create a licensure category for assisted living communities that serve only elderly adults.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 131D‑2(a)(1d) reads as rewritten:
"§ 131D‑2.  Licensing of adult care homes for the aged and disabled.
(a)	The following definitions will apply in the interpretation of this section:
…
(1d)	"Assisted living residence" means any group housing and services program for two or more unrelated adults, by whatever name it is called, that makes available, at a minimum, one meal a day and housekeeping services and provides personal care services directly or through a formal written agreement with one or more licensed home care or hospice agencies. The Department may allow nursing service exceptions on a case‑by‑case basis. Settings in which services are delivered may include self‑contained apartment units or single or shared room units with private or area baths. Assisted living residences are to be distinguished from nursing homes subject to provisions of G.S. 131E‑102. Effective October 1, 2005, there are two types of assisted living residences: adult care homes and adult care homes that serve only elderly persons. As used in this section, "elderly person" means:
a.	Any person who has attained the age of 55 years or older and requires assistance with activities of daily living, housing, and services, or
b.	Any adult who has a primary diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other form of dementia who requires assistance with activities of daily living, housing, and services provided by a licensed Alzheimer's and dementia care unit.
Effective July 1, 1996, there is a third type, multiunit assisted housing with services."
SECTION 2.  The Medical Care Commission shall adopt rules to implement this act.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 18th day of May, 2005.

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

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		 James B. Black
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

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		 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2005