States Strengthen Assisted Living Regulations

Assisted living regulations, statutes and policies in 33 states were updated between 2020 and 2022, according to the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) 2022 edition of the Assisted Living State Regulatory Review.   

The report also found that:  

• Forty-six states and the District of Columbia require a consumer disclosure, agreement or bill of rights for residents  
• All 50 states and the District of Columbia require a form of resident assessment and at minimum provide activities of daily living for residents  
• Forty-nine states and the District of Columbia have provisions around and allow providing medication management to residents    
• Forty-five states and the District of Columbia have minimum educational or training requirements for assisted living administrators and directors.  

The review summarizes key selected state requirements for assisted living licensure or certification. It provides information for every state and the District of Columbia on topics such as which state agency licenses assisted living, recent legislative and regulatory updates affecting assisted living and requirements for resident agreements, admission and discharge, units serving people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias, staffing and training.   

The report also includes requirements for communities that offer seniors and people with disabilities housing, supportive services, person-centered assistance with activities of daily living and some level of health care but might use a different term than assisted living, such as residential care and personal care homes.