(a) When necessary to secure an applicant’s or a provider’s performance of its obligations to depositors or residents, the department may record a notice or notices of lien on behalf of the depositors or residents. From the date of recording, the lien shall attach to all real property owned or acquired by the provider during the pendency of the lien, provided the property is not exempt from the execution of a lien and is located within the county in which the lien is recorded. The lien shall have the force, effect, and priority of a judgment lien.
(b) The department may record a lien on any real property owned by the provider if the provider’s annual report indicates the provider has an unfunded statutory or refund requirement. A lien filed pursuant to this section shall have the effect, force, and priority of a judgment lien filed against the property.
(c) The department shall file a release of the lien if the department determines that the lien is no longer necessary to secure the applicant’s or provider’s performance of its obligations to the depositors or residents.
(d) Within 10 days following the department’s denial of a request for a release of the lien, the applicant or provider may file an appeal with the department.
(e) The department’s final decision shall be subject to court review pursuant to Section 1094.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, upon petition of the applicant or provider filed within 30 days of service of the decision.
(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 820, Sec. 65. Effective January 1, 2001.)