(a) The department may void the license of a home medical device retail facility, if the licensed premises remain closed, as defined in subdivision (e), other than by order of the department. For good cause shown, the department may void a license after a shorter period of closure. To void a license pursuant to this subdivision, the department shall make a diligent, good faith effort to give notice by personal service on the licensee. If no written objection is received within 10 days after personal service is made or a diligent, good faith effort to give notice by personal service on the licensee has failed, the department may void the license without the necessity of a hearing. If the licensee files a written objection, the department shall file an accusation based on the licensee remaining closed. Proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the department shall have all the powers granted in that chapter.
(b) In the event that the license of a home medical device retail facility is voided pursuant to subdivision (a) or revoked or a home medical device retail facility notifies the department of its intent to remain closed or to discontinue business, the licensee shall, within 10 days thereafter, arrange for the transfer of all prescription devices to another licensee authorized to possess the prescription devices. The licensee transferring the prescription devices shall immediately confirm in writing to the department that the transfer has taken place.
(c) If a home medical device retail facility fails to comply with subdivision (b), the department may seek and obtain an order from the superior court in the county in which the home medical device retail facility is located, authorizing the department to enter the home medical device retail facility and inventory and store, transfer, sell, or arrange for the sale of, prescription devices found in the home medical device retail facility.
(d) In the event that the department sells or arranges for the sale of any prescription devices pursuant to subdivision (c), the department may retain from the proceeds of the sale an amount equal to the cost to the department of obtaining and enforcing an order issued pursuant to subdivision (c), including the cost of disposing of the prescription devices. The remaining proceeds, if any, shall be returned to the licensee from whose premises the prescription devices were removed.
(1) The licensee shall be notified of his or her right to the remaining proceeds by personal service or by certified mail, postage prepaid.
(2) Where a statute or regulation requires the licensee to file with the department his or her address, and any change of address, the notice required by this subdivision may be sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, to the latest address on file with the department, and service of notice in this manner shall be deemed completed on the 10th day after the mailing.
(3) If the licensee is notified as provided in this subdivision, and the licensee fails to contact the department for the remaining proceeds within 30 calendar days after the personal service has been made or service by certified mail, postage prepaid, is deemed completed, the remaining proceeds shall be deposited by the department into the Drug and Device Safety Fund. These deposits shall be deemed to have been received pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 1500) of Title 10 of Part 3 of the Code of Civil Procedure and shall be subject to claim or other disposition as provided in that chapter.
(e) For the purposes of this section, “closed” means not engaged in the ordinary activity for which a license has been issued for at least one day each calendar week during any 120-day period.
(f) Nothing in this section shall be construed as requiring a home medical device retail facility to be open seven days a week.
(Added by Stats. 2000, Ch. 837, Sec. 42. Effective January 1, 2001.)