AB 2231 Summary

• Increases civil penalties for licensing violations at care facilities effective July 1, 2017, requiring departments to levy (rather than may levy) civil penalties with specified amounts ranging from $100-$1,000+ per day depending on violation severity.

• Establishes new penalty structure: $100/day for uncorrected deficiencies, $250/day for repeat violations within 12 months, and $500/day for serious violations including fire code breaches, supervision failures, and accessible weapons or water hazards.

• Sets significantly higher penalties for violations resulting in death ($5,000-$15,000 depending on facility type and size) and physical abuse or serious injury ($1,000-$10,000).

• Requires departments to make good faith efforts to work with licensees to determine deficiency causes and prevent repeat violations, and mandates regulations establishing appeal procedures with civil penalties due after administrative appeals are exhausted.

• Allows departments sole discretion to reduce repeat violation penalties if not substantially similar to original violation, and permits late fees on unpaid penalties after 30 days.