Chapter 9.7. Special Facilities of California Penal Code >> Title 7. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 9.7.
(a) (1) The Legislature finds and declares that the purpose
of the program authorized under this section is to address the
special needs of inmates with regard to the provision of long-term
care in skilled nursing facilities.
(2) The department may contract with public or private entities
for the establishment and operation of skilled nursing facilities for
the incarceration and care of inmates who are limited in ability to
perform activities of daily living and who are in need of skilled
nursing services. The skilled nursing facility under contract
pursuant to this section shall address the long-term care of inmates
as needed. In addition, the facility shall be designed to maximize
the personal security of inmates, to maximize the security of the
facility, and to ensure the safety of the outside community at large.
(b) The department shall provide for the security of the facility
in order to ensure the safety of the outside community at large.
(c) The department shall enter into an agreement for transfer of
prisoners to, or placement of prisoners in, skilled nursing
facilities pursuant to this section.
(d) The facility contractor shall ensure that the facility meets
all licensing requirements by obtaining a license for the skilled
nursing facility, as that term is defined in Section 1250 of the
Health and Safety Code.
(e) The department shall provide for the review of any agreement
entered into under this section to determine if the facility
contractor is in compliance with the requirements of this section,
and may revoke the agreement if the facility contractor is not in
compliance.
(f) The Department of Corrections ombudsman program shall provide
ombudsman services to prisoner residents of the department-contracted
skilled nursing facilities.
(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 11 (commencing with
Section 9700) of Division 8.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code,
the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman shall be exempt from
advocating on behalf of, or investigating complaints on behalf of
residents of any skilled nursing facilities operated either directly
or by contract by the Department of Corrections.
(h) As used in this section, "long-term care" means personal or
supportive care services provided to people of all ages with physical
or mental disabilities who need assistance with activities of daily
living including bathing, eating, dressing, toileting, transferring,
and ambulation.