Violation

California Code § 87468.2(a)(19)Medical Record Access

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

Type B, generalAffects rcfe54 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 § 87468.2(a)(19) actually says

California Code § 87468.2(a)(19)

To have prompt access to review all of their records and to purchase photocopies of their records. Photocopied records shall be provided within two (2) business days and at a cost that does not exceed the community standard for photocopies.

From the field

What operators tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

50 California RCFEs were cited for blocking resident record access. LPAs ask residents directly whether they received copies of their files. Keep a request log showing every ask was answered within two business days to prove compliance on the spot.

By the numbers

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

54 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 Medical Record Access

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

Common practices

Provide residents prompt access to review all of their records on request.
Supply photocopies of records within two business days of the request.
Charge no more than the community standard rate for photocopies.

What to avoid

Charging inflated fees for record copies beyond standard copy rates.
Taking more than two business days to fulfill a photocopy request.
Failing to inform residents that they have the right to access their records.

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 Medical Record Access, last 90 days
County	Citations
Los Angeles	16
Orange	6
Alameda	4
Ventura	4
Placer	3
San Bernardino	3
Sonoma	2
Riverside	2
Santa Cruz	2
Stanislaus	2

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 resident record access violation?

Title 22, Section 87468.2(a)(19) guarantees every assisted living resident the right to review their own records and receive photocopies within two business days. Facilities violate this rule when they delay requests, overcharge for copies, or deny access entirely. This regulation protects residents and their families from being kept in the dark about care plans, assessments, and medical documentation. Transparency builds trust and keeps your community compliant.

How common are resident record access violations in California assisted living?

According to CCLD inspection data, 50 California RCFEs received citations under Section 87468.2(a)(19). These are predominantly Type B citations, meaning the violation poses a potential rather than immediate risk. Los Angeles County alone accounted for 16 of these facilities, followed by Orange County with 6. At 0.38% of California RCFEs affected, the violation is not widespread, but LPAs actively check record-access practices during annual inspections.

What happens if an RCFE is cited for denying resident record access?

A Type B citation under this section requires your facility to correct the violation and submit a plan of correction to CCLD. Type B citations carry civil penalties, though less severe than Type A. The LPA may conduct a follow-up visit to confirm residents now receive timely access. Repeated violations signal a pattern of resident rights issues, which CCLD monitors closely and may escalate into broader enforcement actions.

How do I fix or prevent a resident record access citation?

Establish a written policy that logs every record request with the date received and date fulfilled. Train staff to provide photocopies within two business days at no more than standard community copy rates. Assign one administrator to oversee every request personally. Post a notice in a common area informing residents of their record-access rights under Title 22. These steps take roughly one hour to set up and prevent a common citation.

Does a resident record access violation affect my RCFE license?

A single Type B citation will not automatically threaten your RCFE license. However, CCLD tracks deficiencies across inspection cycles. Failing to respect resident rights to their own records raises red flags during license renewal reviews. If your community accumulates multiple resident-rights violations, CCLD may initiate a compliance plan or schedule additional visits. Prompt correction and documented staff training protect your residents and your license.

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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