Violation

California Code § 87465(h)(1)(C)Hazardous Medication Storage

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what operators do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type A, seriousAffects rcfe39 facilities cited in the last 90 days

What does Type A vs Type B mean?

Type A. Serious citation. Imminent or substantial risk to residents. The regulator requires corrective action immediately and may impose a civil penalty.

Type B. Lower-severity citation. Corrective action required, no imminent risk. The regulator monitors compliance on the next visit.

Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer

Regulation text

What California Code § 87465(h)(1)(C) actually says

California Code § 87465(h)(1)(C)

Because of potential dangers related to the medication itself, or due to physical arrangements in the facility and the condition or the habits of other persons in the facility, the medications are determined by either a physician, the administrator, or Department to be a safety hazard to others.

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

33 California RCFEs received Type A citations for this hazard. LPAs look inside unlocked nightstands and medicine cabinets during visits. Move any medications that could harm another resident into a centrally locked cabinet today.

By the numbers

39^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
11^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
--^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady; Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

39 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

What other operators do

Common practices to stay clear of Hazardous Medication Storage

Common practices shared by operators. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

Common practices

Identify medications that pose a safety hazard to others.
Store identified hazardous medications in a secure central location.
Follow determinations made by the physician, administrator, or department.

What to avoid

Leaving potentially dangerous medications in a resident's unsecured room.
Failing to reevaluate storage needs when a resident's habits change.
Assuming over-the-counter medications do not require secure central storage.

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records.

Regional citations for Hazardous Medication Storage, last 90 days
County	Citations
Alameda	8
Los Angeles	7
Orange	6
Fresno	3
Ventura	2
Sacramento	2
Contra Costa	2
Placer	1
Solano	1
San Diego	1

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-07-13Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is a Title 22 Section 87465(h)(1)(C) violation?

It is a failure to centrally store medications deemed a safety hazard to other residents. Certain medications, like narcotics or blood thinners, must be secured if they could harm others. LPAs check your storage protocols carefully to prevent accidental ingestion and protect everyone in the community.

How common is this medication storage violation in California assisted living?

According to public CCLD inspection records, 33 California RCFEs were cited for failing to centrally store hazardous medications. This results in a Type A citation due to the immediate safety threat to residents. Alameda and Orange counties reported high numbers of these specific assisted living violations.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for a medication storage hazard?

Your facility receives a Type A citation because improper storage poses a direct and immediate risk to residents. Type A citations carry higher civil penalties than Type B citations. The operator must move the medications to a secure, central location immediately to avoid further enforcement actions.

How do I fix or prevent an 87465(h)(1)(C) citation?

Work with the administrator and physicians to identify medications that could be dangerous to other residents. Store all identified hazardous drugs in a locked central cabinet rather than in individual rooms. Review your storage arrangements every month to ensure ongoing compliance and resident safety.

Does a medication storage hazard affect my RCFE license?

Yes, leaving hazardous medications accessible triggers Type A enforcement actions from California CCLD. This creates an immediate risk to resident safety and brings heavy scrutiny to your facility. Persistent issues with medication storage will quickly lead to license revocation proceedings and mandatory state monitoring.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed residential care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

Every California assisted living facility's citation record is free to read. Browse facilities by county or look one up by name.

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