Health Facilities - Assisted Living Programs - Family Councils

HB 1291 requires assisted living facilities with 15 or more beds to establish family councils to advocate for residents' rights and quality of life. These councils must include family members or appointed representatives of residents, and facilities must provide new residents with written information about the council’s purpose and contact details. Facilities must respond in writing to council communications within 14 days and maintain public and regulatory files of all council correspondence, with public files anonymizing resident information. The bill directly affects residents, families, and facility operators in Maryland’s assisted living sector by creating formal channels for resident advocacy.