(a) A member of a home has the right to complain and otherwise exercise the freedom of expression and assembly guaranteed by the Sections 2 and 3 of Article I of the California Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The administrator of the home shall inform each member in writing at the time of admission of the right to complain to the administrator about home accommodations and services. A notice of the right to complain shall be posted in the home. The administrator shall also inform each member of the right to complain to the board or to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Each member of a home shall be encouraged and assisted, throughout the period of stay in the home, to understand and exercise the rights of freedom of expression and assembly as a member and as a citizen. To this end, the member may voice grievances and recommend changes in policies and services to home staff, other members, and outside representatives of the member’s choice, free from restraint, interference, coercion, discrimination, or reprisal, including retaliatory eviction.

(b) An administrator may not retaliate against any member who exercises the right to voice grievances by evicting the member. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any eviction within 45 days of the exercise by a member of the right to voice grievances is retaliatory. This presumption does not apply in favor of a member who has failed to pay maintenance fees unless the member pays the overdue fees.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 28, Sec. 81. (SB 96) Effective June 27, 2017.)