(a) In accordance with subdivision (b), the State Department of Health Care Services may establish a system for the imposition of prompt and effective civil sanctions for long-term care facilities licensed or certified by the department, including facilities licensed under the provisions of Sections 5675 and 5768, and including facilities certified as providing a special treatment program under Sections 72443 to 72475, inclusive, of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
(b) If the department determines that there is or has been a failure, in a substantial manner, on the part of any such facility to comply with the applicable laws and regulations, the director may impose the following sanctions:
(1) A plan of corrective action that addresses all failure identified by the department and includes timelines for correction.
(2) A facility that is issued a plan of corrective action, and that fails to comply with the plan and repeats the deficiency, may be subject to immediate suspension of its license or certification, until the deficiency is corrected, when failure to comply with the plan of correction may cause a health or safety risk to residents.
(c) The department may also establish procedures for the appeal of an administrative action taken pursuant to this section, including a plan of corrective action or a suspension of license or certification.
(Amended by Stats. 2013, Ch. 23, Sec. 44. (AB 82) Effective June 27, 2013.)