CA AB2171

Establishes a Resident's Bill of Rights for residents of privately operated residential care facilities for the elderly, including rights to dignity, privacy, confidential treatment of records, and safe accommodations.

Requires facility staff to personally advise residents and their representatives of their rights at admission and provide written copies; facilities must post rights in English and any other language spoken by 5 percent or more of residents.

Guarantees residents rights to make choices about their care and daily life, participate in care planning, manage their own finances, select their own healthcare providers, receive grievance procedures without retaliation, and contact state oversight agencies.

Prohibits facilities from discriminating based on sex, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, or gender identity, and prohibits admission contracts from requiring residents to waive rights under state or federal law.

Provides no state reimbursement for local agencies, as costs result from creating new crime or changing penalty definitions under existing law.