DHFS-SLF-DEMENTIA CARE SETTING

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dee Avelar and 1 co-sponsor

Residents in supportive living dementia care settings will gain in-room appliance access, daily programming, and stricter new-construction space and amenities standards starting Ja

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Summary — HB 2528 (DHFS — Supportive Living / Dementia Care Setting)

Status: Rule 19(a) / Re‑referred to Rules Committee
Introduced: Early February 2025 (bill text dated 2/4/2025)
Primary sponsor (Illinois version): Rep. Dagmara Avelar; co‑sponsor added: Rep. Camille Y. Lilly
Legal reference amended: 305 ILCS 5/5‑5.01a (Medical Assistance Article, Supportive Living Facilities Program)

Purpose / Intent

The bill amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to strengthen resident autonomy and physical design standards for supportive living dementia care settings that participate in the State’s Medicaid program. It sets minimum unit‑size and amenity requirements for newly constructed dementia care apartments and requires daily social/recreational programming separate from meal service. Several provisions take effect January 1, 2026.

Key provisions

Resident access to in‑room appliances: Beginning January 1, 2026, a supportive living dementia care setting may not limit a resident’s access to the sink, microwave, and refrigerator located inside that resident’s room.

Daily programming: Social and recreational programming must be provided at least once daily and must occur at a time and place separate from meal service.

Unit size (new construction only): Beginning January 1, 2026, newly constructed supportive living dementia care settings must provide at least:

300 square feet for a single‑occupancy apartment, or
450 square feet for a double‑occupancy apartment.
The square footage may include closets and the bathroom.

In‑unit amenities (new construction): Each apartment in newly constructed settings must include an in‑unit sink, microwave, and refrigerator.

Common area (new construction): Newly constructed dementia care settings must provide a common area that is completely separate from the dining area.

Who is affected

Residents with dementia living in supportive living settings (greater in‑room access and daily programming).

Supportive living facility operators and developers (design, construction and operational changes for newly built units; compliance and potential retrofit considerations for existing units regarding appliance access and programming).

Illinois Medicaid / Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) — oversight and enforcement implications.

Procedural / timeline notes

Effective dates: Several requirements (notably appliance access and new construction standards) begin January 1, 2026.

Legislative actions recorded include committee referrals (Human Services, Medicaid Subcommittee), a public hearing (4/9/2025) where testimony was taken, and the bill being left pending and re‑referred under Rule 19(a) to the Rules Committee (3/21/2025).

The provided document also contains unrelated text from an Arizona bill (also numbered HB 2528). That Arizona material is not part of the Illinois amendment described above.

If you want, I can: (1) extract exact statutory language changed in 305 ILCS 5/5‑5.01a; (2) outline likely compliance costs for facilities; or (3) prepare a one‑page briefing for committee members.