The Georgia House will vote Tuesday on a bill that would let frail elderly people stay in assisted-living facilities instead of being forced into nursing homes.
Senate Bill 178 would create a new assisted-living designation for facilities with 25 beds or more and let such centers provide more services to help residents stay longer.
Under current law, assisted-living facilities are licensed as personal care homes. Residents of such facilities can be forced into a nursing home if they can't take their own medications or are not mobile enough to get around in an emergency.
The House has already approved its own version of the measure and is expected to approve the Senate bill. If it does, the issue goes to Gov. Nathan Deal for consideration.
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