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Gov. Scott signs into law mandating generators at all Florida nursing homes

Posted at 6:21 AM, Mar 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-26 11:21:24-04

Gov. Rick Scott signed two bills Monday making permanent the emergency rules requiring every nursing home and assisted living facility in Florida have emergency generators to keep residents safe if power is lost.

The bills, Senate Bill 7028 and House Bill 7099, were drafted after a nursing home in Hollywood, Fla., lost power after Hurricane Irma hit the state last September, resulting in multiple deaths.

A total of 14 people died with 12 of the deaths ruled as homicides.

The hurricane knocked out the nursing home's air-conditioning system, which led to sweltering conditions.

Florida law now requires nursing homes to have backup power capability and adequate fuel supplies to maintain air conditioning for 96 hours after loss of electricity. 

Scott signed the bills into law at 10 a.m. at a nursing home in Fort Myers.