Section 1327 Of Article 8. Management Of Long-term Health Care Facilities From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 8.
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. (a) Whenever circumstances exist indicating that continued
management of a long-term health care facility by the current
licensee would present a substantial probability or imminent danger
of serious physical harm or death to the patients, or there exists in
the facility a condition in substantial violation of this chapter or
the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, or the
facility exhibits a pattern or practice of habitual violation of this
chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, or
the facility is closing or intends to terminate operation as a
licensed long-term health care facility and adequate arrangements for
relocation of residents have not been made at least 30 days prior to
the closing or termination, the director may petition the superior
court for the county in which the long-term health care facility is
located for an order appointing a receiver to temporarily operate the
long-term health care facility in accordance with this article.
The petition shall allege the facts upon which the action is based
and shall be supported by an affidavit of the director. A copy of
the petition and affidavits, together with an order to appear and
show cause why temporary authority to operate the long-term health
care facility should not be vested in a receiver pursuant to this
article, shall be delivered to the licensee, administrator, or a
responsible person at the facility to the attention of the licensee
and administrator. The order shall specify a hearing date, which
shall be not less than five, nor more than 10, days following
delivery of the petition and order upon the licensee, except that the
court may shorten or lengthen the time upon a showing of just cause.
(b) If the director files a petition pursuant to subdivision (a)
for appointment of a receiver to operate a long-term health care
facility, in accordance with Section 564 of the Code of Civil
Procedure, the director may also petition the court, in accordance
with Section 527 of the Code of Civil Procedure, for an order
appointing a temporary receiver. A temporary receiver appointed by
the court pursuant to this subdivision shall serve until the court
has made a final determination on the petition for appointment of a
receiver filed pursuant to subdivision (a). A receiver appointed
pursuant to this subdivision shall have the same powers and duties as
a receiver would have if appointed pursuant to subdivision (a).
At the time of the hearing, the state department shall advise the
licensee of the name of the proposed receiver. The receiver shall be
a licensed nursing home administrator or other responsible person or
entity, as determined by the court, from a list of qualified
receivers established by the state department, with input from
providers of long-term care and consumer representatives. The
department shall consult with the Board of Nursing Home
Administrators, in order to screen potential receivers who are
licensed by the board, and to determine if they are administrators in
good standing. Persons appearing on the list shall have experience
in the delivery of health care services, and, if feasible, shall have
experience with the operation of a long-term health care facility.
The receivers shall have sufficient background and experience in
management and finances to ensure compliance with orders issued by
the court. The owner, licensee, or administrator shall not be
appointed as the receiver unless authorized by the court.
If at the conclusion of the hearing, which may include oral
testimony and cross-examination at the option of any party, the court
determines that adequate grounds exist for the appointment of a
receiver and that there is no other reasonably available remedy to
protect the patients, the court may issue an order appointing a
receiver to temporarily operate the long-term health care facility
and enjoining the licensee from interfering with the receiver in the
conduct of his or her duties. The court shall in any such proceedings
make written findings of fact and conclusions of law, and shall
require an appropriate bond to be filed by the receiver and paid for
by the licensee. The bond shall be in an amount necessary to protect
the licensee in the event of any failure on the part of the receiver
to act in a reasonable manner. The bond requirement may be waived by
the licensee.
The court may permit the licensee to participate in the continued
operation of the facility during the pendency of any receivership
ordered pursuant to this section and shall issue an order detailing
the nature and scope of participation.
Failure of the licensee to appear at the hearing on the petition
shall constitute an admission of all factual allegations contained in
the petition for purposes of these proceedings only.
The licensee shall receive notice and a copy of the application
each time the receiver applies to the court or the state department
for instructions regarding his or her duties under the provisions of
this article, when an accounting pursuant to Section 1330 is
submitted, and when a report pursuant to Section 1332 or other report
is submitted. The licensee shall have an opportunity to present
objections or otherwise participate in any such proceeding.
(c) (1) The director may petition the superior court pursuant to
this section for the county in which any health facility, as defined
in subdivision (e), (g), or (h) of Section 1250, providing long-term
care for persons with developmental disabilities is located, for an
order appointing a temporary receiver to operate the facility for a
maximum of 120 days in accordance with this article.
(2) The state department may provide onsite technical assistance
to the receiver appointed pursuant to this subdivision, if requested
by the receiver, to continue operation of the facility. The technical
assistance may include, but need not be limited to, technical
assistance regarding any of the following:
(A) Staff training and personnel management.
(B) Rate adjustment applications and appeals.
(C) Administrative practices and procedures.
(D) Fiscal management.
(E) Licensing regulations and review procedures.
(3) The state department shall notify the State Department of
Developmental Services and the appropriate regional center, or
centers, of the receivership action.
(4) When the director has determined that the facility specified
in paragraph (1) presents a risk of abruptly closing, but the
director determines that the situation does not require the filing of
a petition with the court for an order appointing a receiver, the
director may provide onsite technical assistance as specified in
paragraph (2) to the operator of the facility if the operator
requests the assistance.