Florida Emergency Generator Rule for Nursing Homes, ALFs is Now Permanent

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Florida Gov. Rick Scott

Florida Governor Rick Scott signed bills requiring nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) in the state to have emergency generators to keep residents safe. Under SB 7028 and HB 7099, the emergency generator rule is now permanent.

In September last year, Gov. Scott’s administration issued an emergency generator rule requiring all nursing homes and ALFs to install generators immediately. The action comes after the deaths of 14 elderly residents at a Broward County nursing home in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

The nursing home industry in Florida challenged the state government’s emergency generator rule. However, the state’s First District Court of Appeals upheld the rule, which Gov. Scott believed could save lives during disasters.

Under SB 7028 and HB 7099, the emergency generator rule is now permanent.

Gov. Scott aggressively fought to implement emergency generator rule

In a statement, Gov. Scott said the tragedy at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills clearly demonstrated that the state needs to do more to ensure the protection for vulnerable Floridian during emergencies.