The purpose of this chapter is to set uniform, minimum standards of licensure for community residence facilities currently regulated under Chapter 34 of Title 22 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations and other facilities when they provide services that assist residents with the activities of daily living. This chapter creates a new category of licensure called "assisted living residence".
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 101, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
Law 13-127, the "Assisted Living Residence Regulatory Act of 2000," was introduced in Council and assigned Bill No. 13-107, which was referred to the Committee on Human Services. The Bill was adopted on first and second readings on January 4, 2000, and March 7, 2000, respectively. Signed by the Mayor on March 22, 2000, it was assigned Act No. 13-297 and transmitted to both Houses of Congress for its review. D.C. Law 13-127 became effective on June 24, 2000.
(a) The philosophy of assisted living emphasizes personal dignity, autonomy, independence, privacy, and freedom of choice. Further, the services and physical environment of an assisted living residence should enhance a person's ability to age in place in a homelike setting by increasing or decreasing the amount of assistance in accordance with the individual's changing needs.
(b) This chapter shall be interpreted in accordance with the following philosophy of care:
(1) An assisted living residence is a program which combines housing, health, and supportive services for the support of residents aging in place. The function of an assisted living residence is to provide or coordinate personalized assistance through activities of daily living, recreational activities, 24-hour supervision, and provision or coordination of health services and instrumental activities of daily living as needed.
(2) The design of services and environment should acknowledge that a significant number of residents may have some form of cognitive impairment. Services and environment should offer a balance between choice and safety in the least restrictive setting.
(3) Both the program and environment should support resident dignity, privacy, independence, individuality, freedom of choice, decision making, spirituality, and involvement of family and friends.
(4) Residents should be supported to age in place by minimizing the need to move through reasonable accommodation and, when necessary, through coordination and use of home health agencies, hospice, rehabilitation agencies, and other licensed healthcare providers.
(5) Quality, affordable assisted living residence care should be accessible to all individuals residing in the District regardless of income.
(June 24, 2000, D.C. Law 13-127, § 102, 47 DCR 2647.)
HISTORICAL AND STATUTORY NOTES
Legislative History of Laws
For Law 13-127, see notes following § 44-101.01.
