Lalani Bill Orders Safe Rooms For Seniors During Power Outages

The text as introduced · 482 words

90R3187 LRM-D

By: Lalani
H.B. No. 379

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to emergency preparedness and contingency operations

plans, inspections, and enforcement for senior retirement

communities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 786, Health and Safety Code, is amended

by adding Section 786.004 to read as follows:

Sec. 786.004. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND CONTINGENCY

OPERATIONS PLAN; INSPECTION; ENFORCEMENT. (a) In this section,

"area of refuge" means a climate-controlled area in a senior

retirement community that is designated for use to provide safety,

care, and other resources to residents during a power outage or

other emergency that does not require evacuation of the facility's

residents or other occupants.

(b) A senior retirement community shall adopt and implement

an emergency preparedness and contingency operations plan that

requires the community in the event of a power outage to provide:

(1) an area of refuge with at least 15 square feet for

each resident; and

(2) notice to the appropriate local fire marshal of an

unplanned interruption or loss for more than 12 hours of electric

utility service.

(c) An emergency preparedness and contingency operations

plan adopted in accordance with this section must require a senior

retirement community to maintain a temperature between 68 and 82

degrees Fahrenheit in each area of refuge designated for use in the

event of a power outage.

(d) A senior retirement community shall at least once each

calendar year request and submit to an inspection by the

appropriate local fire marshal to verify compliance with the

requirements of this section. The fire marshal may conduct the

inspection in conjunction with an inspection verifying compliance

with applicable fire and life safety codes. In conducting the

inspection, the fire marshal shall:

(1) review the emergency power components of the

community's emergency preparedness and contingency operations

plan;

(2) verify the community's secondary power supply and

related equipment are maintained and operational;

(3) document any deficiencies discovered during the

inspection and issue written orders for the community to correct

those deficiencies within a reasonable time; and

(4) conduct any necessary subsequent inspection to

verify completion of any required corrective actions.

(e) A municipality, county, or emergency services district

may impose a penalty or other enforcement action against a senior

retirement community that violates this section as if the community

violated the applicable fire code.

SECTION 2. Section 34.0202, Utilities Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 34.0202. PURPOSE. The purpose of this subchapter is to

facilitate and provide funding for the design, procurement,

installation, and use of Texas backup power packages to ensure the

reliability or adequacy of an electric power grid in this state for

facilities on which communities rely for health, safety, and

well-being , including facilities operated by senior retirement

communities, as defined by Section 786.001, Health and Safety Code .

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.