(WTXL) - Monday, Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation requiring all Florida nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have emergency generators.
The bill was signed in response to the tragedy at a Rehabilitation Center in Hollywood Hills during Hurricane Irma that killed 11 patients.
The legislation requires the facilities to have a generator capable of keeping them at 81 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for at least four days and to keep 72 hours of fuel on site.
“The tragedy at the Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills made it clear more needed to be done to ensure the protection of vulnerable Floridians during emergencies like Hurricane Irma," Governor Scott said. "As we near the 2018 hurricane season, families can now know the facilities responsible for caring for their loved ones will have the resources needed to be fully prepared ahead of any potential storms.”
Florida is one of the first states in the nation to require emergency generators at nursing homes.
