Bolick Bill Mandating Assisted-Living Agency Screening

PHOENIX- Arizona lawmakers sent Gov. Katie Hobbs new legislation intended to close oversight gaps in the assisted-living referral industry, which helps families select care facilities but is not currently subject to state licensing requirements. Senate Bill SB1477, sponsored by Sen. Shawnna Bolick (R-2), received final Senate approval Tuesday, June 9, 2026, on a 28-1 vote. The measure would require compensated referral agents to undergo additional screening and referral agencies to carry professional and commercial liability insurance.

Families frequently turn to placement companies when an aging parent or another relative can no longer live independently. Those agencies may recommend assisted-living homes or larger facilities and receive a fee from the facility ultimately chosen by the family. Current Arizona law requires agencies to disclose those payments and any financial, business, ownership, or family relationships with recommended facilities. However, the state does not issue a regulatory license specifically for senior-placement agencies, leaving families with limited assurance that the person advising them has been screened or that the company has insurance if something goes wrong.

Under SB 1477, referral agents would have to be checked against the Adult Protective Services Registry or undergo criminal-history screening through a nationally accredited provider. Agencies would also be required to maintain liability coverage and preserve documentation showing that required disclosures were provided to prospective residents.

“Finding the right assisted living facility for a loved one is one of the most important and often most emotional decisions a family will make,” Bolick said. “Families deserve confidence that the individuals helping guide those decisions are trustworthy, qualified, and accountable.”

Bolick said the measure is designed to deter bad actors while raising professional standards throughout the referral industry.

The bill passed both chambers with bipartisan support. It now awaits action by Hobbs, who may sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without her signature.