Committee advances bill blocking local caps on small assisted-living homes

The House Committee on Government returned Senate Bill 14 73 with a due-pass recommendation after hearing from owners of small assisted-living homes and a lawyer representing the Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association.

Staff said SB 14 73 would prohibit municipalities and counties from imposing caps on the number of residents at an assisted-living home, prevent zoning restrictions that block residential assisted-living on property zoned residentially, and bar administrative requirements solely based on resident counts. The bill includes a severability clause.

An associate at Rose Law Group who said she goes by her middle name, Destiny, testified on behalf of the Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association and said the town of Paradise Valley recently reduced the approved bed count from 10 to 6. “This is obviously concerning to our members,” she said, warning that lower caps could force homes to close and worsen a shortage of beds for aging and vulnerable adults.

Jean Patterson, who said she builds, owns and operates 10-bed homes in Paradise Valley, described steady demand — noting homes fill within weeks — and said 10-bed operations provide an intimate, affordable care setting. She warned that a shift from 10 to 6 beds in Paradise Valley could make operations financially unsustainable and urged the committee to protect access to essential residential care.

Committee members voiced property-rights concerns and noted the broader need for small assisted-living options. The committee recorded 7 ayes, 0 nays on the due-pass recommendation. The bill will proceed to the House floor for further action.