In response to the devastating power outages experienced at senior living facilities during storms in Texas, state lawmakers are pushing for legislation that would require nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and certain apartments for seniors to have emergency generators on site. These facilities house over 135,000 residents in Texas and are vulnerable to power outages that can leave them without air conditioning for hours or even days. Lawmakers like state Sen. Borris Miles are determined to protect these vulnerable populations by ensuring they have access to backup power during storms.
Past attempts to pass generator bills have failed due to pushback from the long-term care industry citing costs and technical difficulties. However, with an increased frequency of storms and power outages in recent years, lawmakers are renewing their efforts to pass legislation that would provide emergency generators at senior living facilities.
The proposed bills seek to require emergency plans at facilities to include generators that can provide power for at least 72 hours. Lawmakers believe it is essential to safeguard the health and safety of residents in these facilities during times of crisis. With support from advocacy groups like AARP Texas, the push for generator requirements in senior living facilities is gaining momentum.
Local governments, such as Harris County, are also taking action by incorporating generator requirements into their fire codes. While there is some pushback from industry representatives, lawmakers remain committed to ensuring that senior living facilities have the necessary resources to protect their residents during emergencies.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.