SB 475, as amended, Monning. Continuing care contracts: cancellation: payments.
Existing law requires a continuing care retirement facility, as defined, to possess a certificate of authority issued by the State Department of Social Services before it can enter into a continuing care contract, as defined. Existing law requires that a continuing care contract be in writing and contain specified information. Existing law provides that a continuing care contract may be canceled without cause by written notice from either party within 90 days of the resident’s initial occupancy.
Existing law requires a provider to pay, during the cancellation period, all refunds owed to a resident within 14 days after a resident makes possession of the living unit available to the provider. Existing law requires a provider to pay a lump-sum payment that is conditioned upon resale of a unit to a resident within 14 days after resale of the unit.
This bill would require a continuing care retirement facility to pay the full lump-sum payment that is conditioned upon resale of a unit to a resident within 14 days after resale of a unit. The bill would require a continuing care retirement facility, for contracts signed after January 1, 2016, to pay a resident or his or her estate a specified portion of the full lump-sum payment, notwithstanding a provider’s documented good-faith effort to resell the unit, if the unit remains vacant 120 days after the resident’s termination. The bill would require any payment balance not paid to a resident within 120 days to accruebegin delete interestend deletebegin insert compound interest every 30 daysend insert at a rate not lower than 4% until the full lump-sum payment is made. The bill would require any payment balance not
paid to a resident within 180 days to accruebegin delete interestend deletebegin insert compound interest every 30 daysend insert at a rate not lower than 6% until the full lump-sum payment is made. The bill would require a facility to make the lump-sum payment to a resident’s estate if the resident is deceased. The bill would provide that the repayment by a provider of all or a portion of an entrance fee before the resale of a unit would not subject any other entrance fee to the refund reserve requirements, except as provided.
The bill would authorize any resident whose contract calls for a lump-sum payment conditioned upon resale of a unit to file a complaint with the department if the unit has not been resold for more than 12 months after possession of the unit was made available to the provider. The bill would require the department, in response to the complaint, to perform an investigation, as specified, to determine whether the provider made a sufficient good faith effort to resell or reoccupy the unit. The bill would authorize a resident or a provider to submit a written request to the department for a formal review of the determination. The bill would require the provider to repay the full lump-sum payment owed to the resident within 20 business days of the department’s final determination that the provider did not make a sufficient good faith effort to reoccupy or resell the unit, and would require the provider to reimburse the department for reasonable costs associated with the investigation, as specified.
end insertThe bill would authorize the department to determine if a provider has failed to make a good faith effort to reoccupy or resell a unit for which a lump-sum payment is conditioned upon the resale of the unit upon receiving a complaint from the resident or the resident’s estate. The bill would require the provider to repay the full lump-sum payment owed to the resident or the resident’s estate within 14 days of the department’s determination that the provider failed to make a good faith effort to reoccupy or resell the unit, and would require the provider to reimburse the department for the costs incurred by the department associated with its determination.
end deleteThe bill would make corresponding changes to require a continuing care contract to contain a statement that a provider is prohibited from charging the resident or his or her estate a monthly fee once a unit has been permanently vacated by the resident, unless the fee is part of an equity interest contract. The bill would also require a continuing care contract that provides for a refund or repayment of a lump sum of all or part of the entrance fee to include a statement that the provider will make a good faith effort to reoccupy or resell a unit for which a lump-sum payment is conditioned upon resale of the unit.
Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
Section 1771 of the Health and Safety Code is
2amended to read:
Unless the context otherwise requires, the definitions in
4this section govern the interpretation of this chapter.
5(a) (1) “Affiliate” means any person, corporation, limited
6liability company, business trust, trust, partnership, unincorporated
7association, or other legal entity that directly or indirectly controls,
8is controlled by, or is under common control with, a provider or
9applicant.
10(2) “Affinity group” means a grouping of entities sharing a
11common interest, philosophy, or connection (e.g., military officers,
12religion).
13(3) “Annual report” means the report each
provider is required
14to file annually with the department, as described in Section 1790.
15(4) “Applicant” means any entity, or combination of entities,
16that submits and has pending an application to the department for
17a permit to accept deposits and a certificate of authority.
18(5) “Assisted living services” includes, but is not limited to,
19assistance with personal activities of daily living, including
20dressing, feeding, toileting, bathing, grooming, mobility, and
P4 1associated tasks, to help provide for and maintain physical and
2psychosocial comfort.
3(6) “Assisted living unit” means the living area or unit within
4a continuing care retirement community that is specifically
5designed to provide ongoing assisted living
services.
6(7) “Audited financial statement” means financial statements
7prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
8principles including the opinion of an independent certified public
9accountant, and notes to the financial statements considered
10customary or necessary to provide full disclosure and complete
11information regarding the provider’s financial statements, financial
12condition, and operation.
13(b) (reserved)
14(c) (1) “Cancel” means to destroy the force and effect of an
15agreement or continuing care contract.
16(2) “Cancellation period” means the 90-day period, beginning
17when the resident physically moves into the
continuing care
18retirement community, during which the resident may cancel the
19continuing care contract, as provided in Section 1788.2.
20(3) “Care” means nursing, medical, or other health-related
21services, protection or supervision, assistance with the personal
22activities of daily living, or any combination of those services.
23(4) “Cash equivalent” means certificates of deposit and United
24States treasury securities with a maturity of five years or less.
25(5) “Certificate” or “certificate of authority” means the
26certificate issued by the department, properly executed and bearing
27the State Seal, authorizing a specified provider to enter into one
28or more continuing care contracts at a single specified continuing
29care retirement
community.
30(6) “Condition” means a restriction, specific action, or other
31requirement imposed by the department for the initial or continuing
32validity of a permit to accept deposits, a provisional certificate of
33authority, or a certificate of authority. A condition may limit the
34circumstances under which the provider may enter into any new
35deposit agreement or contract, or may be imposed as a condition
36precedent to the issuance of a permit to accept deposits, a
37provisional certificate of authority, or a certificate of authority.
38(7) “Consideration” means some right, interest, profit, or benefit
39paid, transferred, promised, or provided by one party to another
40as an inducement to contract. Consideration includes some
P5 1forbearance, detriment, loss, or responsibility, that is given,
2suffered,
or undertaken by a party as an inducement to another
3party to contract.
4(8) “Continuing care contract” means a contract that includes
5a continuing care promise made, in exchange for an entrance fee,
6the payment of periodic charges, or both types of payments. A
7continuing care contract may consist of one agreement or a series
8of agreements and other writings incorporated by reference.
9(9) “Continuing care promise” means a promise, expressed or
10implied, by a provider to provide one or more elements of care to
11an elderly resident for the duration of his or her life or for a term
12in excess of one year. Any such promise or representation, whether
13part of a continuing care contract, other agreement, or series of
14agreements, or contained in any advertisement, brochure, or other
15material,
either written or oral, is a continuing care promise.
16(10) “Continuing care retirement community” means a facility
17located within the State of California where services promised in
18a continuing care contract are provided. A distinct phase of
19development approved by the department may be considered to
20be the continuing care retirement community when a project is
21being developed in successive distinct phases over a period of
22time. When the services are provided in residents’ own homes, the
23homes into which the provider takes those services are considered
24part of the continuing care retirement community.
25(11) “Control” means directing or causing the direction of the
26financial management or the policies of another entity, including
27an operator of a continuing care retirement community,
whether
28by means of the controlling entity’s ownership interest, contract,
29or any other involvement. A parent entity or sole member of an
30entity controls a subsidiary entity provider for a continuing care
31retirement community if its officers, directors, or agents directly
32participate in the management of the subsidiary entity or in the
33initiation or approval of policies that affect the continuing care
34retirement community’s operations, including, but not limited to,
35approving budgets or the administrator for a continuing care
36retirement community.
37(d) (1) “Department” means the State Department of Social
38Services.
39(2) “Deposit” means any transfer of consideration, including a
40promise to transfer money or property, made by a depositor to any
P6 1entity
that promises or proposes to promise to provide continuing
2care, but is not authorized to enter into a continuing care contract
3with the potential depositor.
4(3) “Deposit agreement” means any agreement made between
5any entity accepting a deposit and a depositor. Deposit agreements
6for deposits received by an applicant prior to the department’s
7release of funds from the deposit escrow account shall be subject
8to the requirements described in Section 1780.4.
9(4) “Depository” means a bank or institution that is a member
10of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or a comparable
11deposit insurance program.
12(5) “Depositor” means any prospective resident who pays a
13deposit. Where any portion of the consideration transferred to
an
14applicant as a deposit or to a provider as consideration for a
15continuing care contract is transferred by a person other than the
16prospective resident or a resident, that third-party transferor shall
17have the same cancellation or refund rights as the prospective
18resident or resident for whose benefit the consideration was
19transferred.
20(6) “Director” means the Director of Social Services.
21(e) (1) “Elderly” means an individual who is 60 years of age
22or older.
23(2) “Entity” means an individual, partnership, corporation,
24limited liability company, and any other form for doing business.
25Entity includes a person, sole proprietorship, estate, trust,
26association, and joint venture.
27(3) “Entrance fee” means the sum of any initial, amortized, or
28deferred transfer of consideration made or promised to be made
29by, or on behalf of, a person entering into a continuing care contract
30for the purpose of ensuring care or related services pursuant to that
31continuing care contract or as full or partial payment for the
32promise to provide care for the term of the continuing care contract.
33Entrance fee includes the purchase price of a condominium,
34cooperative, or other interest sold in connection with a promise of
35continuing care. An initial, amortized, or deferred transfer of
36consideration that is greater in value than 12 times the monthly
37care fee shall be presumed to be an entrance fee.
38(4) “Equity” means the value of real property in excess of the
39aggregate amount of all
liabilities secured by the property.
P7 1(5) “Equity interest” means an interest held by a resident in a
2continuing care retirement community that consists of either an
3ownership interest in any part of the continuing care retirement
4community property or a transferable membership that entitles the
5holder to reside at the continuing care retirement community.
6(6) “Equity project” means a continuing care retirement
7community where residents receive an equity interest in the
8continuing care retirement community property.
9(7) “Equity securities” shall refer generally to large and
10midcapitalization corporate stocks that are publicly traded and
11readily liquidated for cash, and shall include shares in mutual funds
12that hold
portfolios consisting predominantly of these stocks and
13other qualifying assets, as defined by Section 1792.2. Equity
14securities shall also include other similar securities that are
15specifically approved by the department.
16(8) “Escrow agent” means a bank or institution, including, but
17not limited to, a title insurance company, approved by the
18department to hold and render accountings for deposits of cash or
19cash equivalents.
20(f) “Facility” means any place or accommodation where a
21provider provides or will provide a resident with care or related
22services, whether or not the place or accommodation is constructed,
23owned, leased, rented, or otherwise contracted for by the provider.
24(g) (reserved)
25(h) (reserved)
26(i) (1) “Inactive certificate of authority” means a certificate that
27has been terminated under Section 1793.8.
28(2) “Investment securities” means any of the following:
29(A) Direct obligations of the United States, including obligations
30issued or held in book-entry form on the books of the United States
31Department of the Treasury or obligations the timely payment of
32the principal of, and the interest on, which are fully guaranteed by
33the United States.
34(B) Obligations, debentures, notes, or other evidences of
35indebtedness issued or guaranteed by any of the following:
36(i) The Federal Home Loan Bank System.
37(ii) The Export-Import Bank of the United States.
38(iii) The Federal Financing Bank.
39(iv) The Government National Mortgage Association.
40(v) Thebegin delete Farmer’send deletebegin insert Farmersend insert Home Administration.
P8 1(vi) The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation of the
2Federal Housing Administration.
3(vii) Any agency, department, or other instrumentality of the
4United States if the obligations are rated in one of the two highest
5rating categories of each rating agency rating those obligations.
6(C) Bonds of the State of California or of any county, city and
7county, or city in this state, if rated in one of the two highest rating
8categories of each rating agency rating those bonds.
9(D) Commercial paper of finance companies and banking
10institutions rated in one of the two highest categories of each rating
11agency rating those instruments.
12(E) Repurchase agreements fully secured by collateral security
13described in subparagraph (A) or (B), as evidenced by an opinion
14of counsel, if the collateral is held by the provider or
a third party
15during the term of the repurchase agreement, pursuant to the terms
16of the agreement, subject to liens or claims of third parties, and
17has a market value, which is determined at least every 14 days, at
18least equal to the amount so invested.
19(F) Long-term investment agreements, which have maturity
20dates in excess of one year, with financial institutions, including,
21but not limited to, banks and insurance companies or their affiliates,
22if the financial institution’s paying ability for debt obligations or
23long-term claims or the paying ability of a related guarantor of the
24financial institution for these obligations or claims, is rated in one
25of the two highest rating categories of each rating agency rating
26those instruments, or if the short-term investment agreements are
27with the financial institution or the related guarantor of the
financial
28institution, the long-term or short-term debt obligations, whichever
29is applicable, of which are rated in one of the two highest long-term
30or short-term rating categories, of each rating agency rating the
31bonds of the financial institution or the related guarantor, provided
32that if the rating falls below the two highest rating categories, the
33investment agreement shall allow the provider the option to replace
34the financial institution or the related guarantor of the financial
35institution or shall provide for the investment securities to be fully
36collateralized by investments described in subparagraph (A), and,
37provided further, if so collateralized, that the provider has a
38perfected first security lien on the collateral, as evidenced by an
39opinion of counsel and the collateral is held by the provider.
P9 1(G) Banker’s acceptances or
certificates of deposit of, or time
2deposits in, any savings and loan association that meets any of the
3following criteria:
4(i) The debt obligations of the savings and loan association, or
5in the case of a principal bank, of the bank holding company, are
6rated in one of the two highest rating categories of each rating
7agency rating those instruments.
8(ii) The certificates of deposit or time deposits are fully insured
9by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
10(iii) The certificates of deposit or time deposits are secured at
11all times, in the manner and to the extent provided by law, by
12collateral security described in subparagraph (A) or (B) with a
13market value, valued at least quarterly, of no less than the original
14amount
of moneys so invested.
15(H) Taxable money market government portfolios restricted to
16obligations issued or guaranteed as to payment of principal and
17interest by the full faith and credit of the United States.
18(I) Obligations the interest on which is excluded from gross
19income for federal income tax purposes and money market mutual
20funds whose portfolios are restricted to these obligations, if the
21obligations or mutual funds are rated in one of the two highest
22rating categories by each rating agency rating those obligations.
23(J) Bonds that are not issued by the United States or any federal
24agency, but that are listed on a national exchange and that are rated
25at least “A” by Moody’s Investors Service, or the equivalent rating
26by
Standard and Poor’s Corporation or Fitch Investors Service.
27(K) Bonds not listed on a national exchange that are traded on
28an over-the-counter basis, and that are rated at least “Aa” by
29Moody’s Investors Service or “AA” by Standard and Poor’s
30Corporation or Fitch Investors Service.
31(j) (reserved)
32(k) (reserved)
33(l) “Life care contract” means a continuing care contract that
34includes a promise, expressed or implied, by a provider to provide
35or pay for routine services at all levels of care, including acute
36care and the services of physicians and surgeons, to the extent not
37covered by other public or private insurance benefits, to a resident
38for the duration of
his or her life. Care shall be provided under a
39life care contract in a continuing care retirement community having
40a comprehensive continuum of care, including a skilled nursing
P10 1facility, under the ownership and supervision of the provider on
2or adjacent to the premises. No change may be made in the monthly
3fee based on level of care. A life care contract shall also include
4provisions to subsidize residents who become financially unable
5to pay their monthly care fees.
6(m) (1) “Monthly care fee” means the fee charged to a resident
7in a continuing care contract on a monthly or other periodic basis
8for current accommodations and services including care, board,
9or lodging. Periodic entrance fee payments or other prepayments
10shall not be monthly care fees.
11(2) “Monthly fee contract” means a continuing care contract
12that requires residents to pay monthly care fees.
13(n) “Nonambulatory person” means a person who is unable to
14leave a building unassisted under emergency conditions in the
15manner described by Section 13131.
16(o) (reserved)
17(p) (1) “Per capita cost” means a continuing care retirement
18community’s operating expenses, excluding depreciation, divided
19by the average number of residents.
20(2) “Periodic charges” means fees paid by a resident on a
21periodic basis.
22(3) “Permanent closure” means the voluntary or
involuntary
23termination or forfeiture, as specified in subdivisions (a), (b), (g),
24(h), and (i) of Section 1793.7, of a provider’s certificate of authority
25or license, or another action that results in the permanent relocation
26of residents. Permanent closure does not apply in the case of a
27natural disaster or other event out of the provider’s control.
28(4) “Permit to accept deposits” means a written authorization
29by the department permitting an applicant to enter into deposit
30agreements regarding a single specified continuing care retirement
31community.
32(5) “Prepaid contract” means a continuing care contract in which
33the monthly care fee, if any, may not be adjusted to cover the actual
34cost of care and services.
35(6) “Preferred access” means that residents who have previously
36occupied a residential living unit have a right over other persons
37to any assisted living or skilled nursing beds that are available at
38the community.
P11 1(7) “Processing fee” means a payment to cover administrative
2costs of processing the application of a depositor or prospective
3resident.
4(8) “Promise to provide one or more elements of care” means
5any expressed or implied representation that one or more elements
6of care will be provided or will be available, such as by preferred
7access.
8(9) “Proposes” means a representation that an applicant or
9provider will or intends to make a future promise to provide care,
10including a promise that is
subject to a condition, such as the
11construction of a continuing care retirement community or the
12acquisition of a certificate of authority.
13(10) “Provider” means an entity that provides continuing care,
14makes a continuing care promise, or proposes to promise to provide
15continuing care. “Provider” also includes any entity that controls
16an entity that provides continuing care, makes a continuing care
17promise, or proposes to promise to provide continuing care. The
18
department shall determine whether an entity controls another
19entity for purposes of this article. No homeowner’s association,
20cooperative, or condominium association may be a provider.
21(11) “Provisional certificate of authority” means the certificate
22issued by the department, properly executed and bearing the State
23Seal, under Section 1786. A provisional certificate of authority
24shall be limited to the specific continuing care retirement
25community and number of units identified in the applicant’s
26application.
27(q) (reserved)
28(r) (1) “Refund reserve” means the reserve a provider is required
29to maintain, as provided in Section 1792.6.
30(2) (A) “Refundable contract” means a continuing care contract
31that includes a promise, expressed or implied, by the provider to
32pay an entrance fee refund or to repurchase the transferor’s unit,
33membership, stock, or other interest in the continuing care
34retirement community when the promise to refund some or all of
35the initial entrance fee extends beyond the resident’s sixth year of
36residency. Providers that enter into refundable contracts shall be
37subject to the refund reserve requirements of Section 1792.6.
38(B) A continuing care contract that includes a promise to repay
39all or a portion of an entrance fee that is conditioned upon
40reoccupancy or resale of the unit previously occupied by the
P12 1resident shall not be considered a refundable contract for purposes
2of the refund reserve requirements of Section 1792.6,
provided
3that this conditional promise of repayment is not referred to by the
4applicant or provider as a “refund.” A provider may repay all or
5a portion of an entrance fee that is conditioned upon resale of the
6unit before the resale of the unit. The repayment of an entrance
7fee before the resale of the unit shall not cause any other entrance
8fee to be subject to the refund reserve requirements of Section
91792.6, provided that the provider does not promise, at the time
10of contracting or thereafter, to make this type of early repayment,
11represent that the provider intends to make this type of early
12repayment, or indicate that the provider has a practice of making
13this type of early repayment.
14(3) “Resale fee” means a levy by the provider against the
15proceeds from the sale of a transferor’s equity interest.
16(4) “Reservation fee” refers to consideration collected by an
17entity that has made a continuing care promise or is proposing to
18make this promise and has complied with Section 1771.4.
19(5) “Resident” means a person who enters into a continuing
20care contract with a provider, or who is designated in a continuing
21care contract to be a person being provided or to be provided
22services, including care, board, or lodging.
23(6) “Residential care facility for the elderly” means a housing
24arrangement as defined by Section 1569.2.
25(7) “Residential living unit” means a living unit in a continuing
26care retirement community that is not used exclusively for assisted
27living
services or nursing services.
28(8) “Residential temporary relocation” means the relocation of
29one or more residents, except in the case of a natural disaster that
30is out of the provider’s control, from one or more residential living
31units, assisted living units, skilled nursing units, or a wing, floor,
32or entire continuing care retirement community building, due to a
33change of use or major repairs or renovations. A residential
34temporary relocation shall mean a relocation pursuant to this
35subdivision that lasts for a period of at least nine months but that
36does not exceed 18 months without the written agreement of the
37resident.
38(s) (reserved)
39(t) (1) “Termination” means the ending of a continuing care
40contract
as provided for in the terms of the continuing care contract.
P13 1(2) “Transfer trauma” means death, depression, or regressive
2behavior, that is caused by the abrupt and involuntary transfer of
3an elderly resident from one home to another and results from a
4loss of familiar physical environment, loss of well-known
5neighbors, attendants, nurses and medical personnel, the stress of
6an abrupt break in the small routines of daily life, or the loss of
7visits from friends and relatives who may be unable to reach the
8new facility.
9(3) “Transferor” means a person who transfers, or promises to
10transfer, consideration in exchange for care and related services
11under a continuing care contract or proposed continuing care
12contract, for the benefit of another. A transferor shall have the
13same
rights to cancel and obtain a refund as the depositor under
14the deposit agreement or the resident under a continuing care
15contract.
Section 1788 of the Health and Safety Code is amended
17to read:
(a) A continuing care contract shall contain all of the
19following:
20(1) The legal name and address of each provider.
21(2) The name and address of the continuing care retirement
22community.
23(3) The resident’s name and the identity of the unit the resident
24will occupy.
25(4) If there is a transferor other than the resident, the transferor
26shall be a party to the contract and the transferor’s name and
27address shall be specified.
28(5) If the
provider has used the name of any charitable or
29religious or nonprofit organization in its title before January 1,
301979, and continues to use that name, and that organization is not
31responsible for the financial and contractual obligations of the
32provider or the obligations specified in the continuing care contract,
33the provider shall include in every continuing care contract a
34conspicuous statement that clearly informs the resident that the
35organization is not financially responsible.
36(6) The date the continuing care contract is signed by the
37resident and, where applicable, any other transferor.
38(7) The duration of the continuing care contract.
39(8) A list of the services that will be made available to the
40resident as
required to provide the appropriate level of care. The
P14 1list of services shall include the services required as a condition
2for licensure as a residential care facility for the elderly, including
3all of the following:
4(A) Regular observation of the resident’s health status to ensure
5that his or her dietary needs, social needs, and needs for special
6services are satisfied.
7(B) Safe and healthful living accommodations, including
8housekeeping services and utilities.
9(C) Maintenance of house rules for the protection of residents.
10(D) A planned activities program, which includes social and
11recreational activities appropriate to the interests and capabilities
12of the
resident.
13(E) Three balanced, nutritious meals and snacks made available
14daily, including special diets prescribed by a physician as a medical
15necessity.
16(F) Assisted living services.
17(G) Assistance with taking medications.
18(H) Central storing and distribution of medications.
19(I) Arrangements to meet health needs, including arranging
20transportation.
21(9) An itemization of the services that are included in the
22monthly fee and the services that are available at an extra charge.
23The provider shall attach a current fee schedule to the
continuing
24care contract. The schedule shall state that a provider is prohibited
25from charging the resident or his or her estate a monthly fee once
26a unit has been permanently vacated by the resident, unless the fee
27is part of an equity interest contract.
28(10) The procedures and conditions under which a resident may
29be voluntarily and involuntarily transferred from a designated
30living unit. The transfer procedures, at a minimum, shall include
31provisions addressing all of the following circumstances under
32which a transfer may be authorized:
33(A) A continuing care retirement community may transfer a
34resident under the following conditions, taking into account the
35appropriateness and necessity of the transfer and the goal of
36promoting resident independence:
37(i) The resident is nonambulatory. The definition of
38“nonambulatory,” as provided in Section 13131, shall either be
39stated in full in the continuing care contract or be cited. If Section
4013131 is cited, a copy of the statute shall be made available to the
P15 1resident, either as an attachment to the continuing care contract or
2by specifying that it will be provided upon request. If a
3nonambulatory resident occupies a room that has a fire clearance
4for nonambulatory residents, transfer shall not be necessary.
5(ii) The resident develops a physical or mental condition that
6endangers the health, safety, or well-being of the resident or another
7person.
8(iii) The resident’s condition or needs require the resident’s
9transfer to
an assisted living care unit or skilled nursing facility,
10because the level of care required by the resident exceeds that
11which may be lawfully provided in the living unit.
12(iv) The resident’s condition or needs require the resident’s
13transfer to a nursing facility, hospital, or other facility, and the
14provider has no facilities available to provide that level of care.
15(B) Before the continuing care retirement community transfers
16a resident under any of the conditions set forth in subparagraph
17(A), the community shall satisfy all of the following requirements:
18(i) Involve the resident and the resident’s responsible person,
19as defined in paragraph (6) of subdivision (r) of Section 87101 of
20Title 22 of the California Code of
Regulations, and upon the
21resident’s or responsible person’s request, family members, or the
22resident’s physician or other appropriate health professional, in
23the assessment process that forms the basis for the level of care
24transfer decision by the provider. The provider shall offer an
25explanation of the assessment process. If an assessment tool or
26tools, including scoring and evaluating criteria, are used in the
27determination of the appropriateness of the transfer, the provider
28shall make copies of the completed assessment available upon the
29request of the resident or the resident’s responsible person.
30(ii) Prior to sending a formal notification of transfer, the provider
31shall conduct a care conference with the resident and the resident’s
32responsible person, and upon the resident’s or responsible person’s
33request, family members, and the
resident’s health care
34professionals, to explain the reasons for transfer.
35(iii) Notify the resident and the resident’s responsible person
36of the reasons for the transfer in writing.
37(iv) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subparagraph,
38if the resident does not have impairment of cognitive abilities, the
39resident may request that his or her responsible person not be
40involved in the transfer process.
P16 1(v) The notice of transfer shall be made at least 30 days before
2the transfer is expected to occur, except when the health or safety
3of the resident or other residents is in danger, or the transfer is
4required by the resident’s urgent medical needs. Under those
5circumstances, the written notice shall be made as soon as
6
practicable before the transfer.
7(vi) The written notice shall contain the reasons for the transfer,
8the effective date, the designated level of care or location to which
9the resident will be transferred, a statement of the resident’s right
10to a review of the transfer decision at a care conference, as provided
11for in subparagraph (C), and for disputed transfer decisions, the
12right to review by the Continuing Care Contracts Branch of the
13State Department of Social Services, as provided for in
14subparagraph (D). The notice shall also contain the name, address,
15and telephone number of the department’s Continuing Care
16Contracts Branch.
17(vii) The continuing care retirement community shall provide
18sufficient preparation and orientation to the resident to ensure a
19safe and
orderly transfer and to minimize trauma.
20(C) The resident has the right to review the transfer decision at
21a subsequent care conference that shall include the resident, the
22resident’s responsible person, and upon the resident’s or
23responsible person’s request, family members, the resident’s
24physician or other appropriate health care professional, and
25members of the provider’s interdisciplinary team. The local
26ombudsperson may also be included in the care conference, upon
27the request of the resident, the resident’s responsible person, or
28the provider.
29(D) For disputed transfer decisions, the resident or the resident’s
30responsible person has the right to a prompt and timely review of
31the transfer process by the Continuing Care Contracts Branch of
32the State Department of Social
Services.
33(E) The decision of the department’s Continuing Care Contracts
34Branch shall be in writing and shall determine whether the provider
35failed to comply with the transfer process pursuant to
36subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive. Pending the decision of the
37Continuing Care Contracts Branch, the provider shall specify any
38additional care the provider believes is necessary in order for the
39resident to remain in his or her unit. The resident may be required
40to pay for the extra care, as provided in the contract.
P17 1(F) Transfer of a second resident when a shared accommodation
2arrangement is terminated.
3(11) Provisions describing any changes in the resident’s monthly
4fee and any changes in the entrance fee refund payable to
the
5resident that will occur if the resident transfers from any unit,
6including, but not limited to, terminating his or her contract after
718 months of residential temporary relocation, as defined in
8paragraph (8) of subdivision (r) of Section 1771. Unless the fee is
9part of an equity interest contract, a provider is prohibited from
10charging the resident or his or her estate a monthly fee once a unit
11has been permanently vacated by the resident.
12(12) The provider’s continuing obligations, if any, in the event
13a resident is transferred from the continuing care retirement
14community to another facility.
15(13) The provider’s obligations, if any, to resume care upon the
16resident’s return after a transfer from the continuing care retirement
17community.
18(14) The provider’s obligations to provide services to the
19resident while the resident is absent from the continuing care
20retirement community.
21(15) The conditions under which the resident must permanently
22release his or her living unit.
23(16) If real or personal properties are transferred in lieu of cash,
24a statement specifying each item’s value at the time of transfer,
25and how the value was ascertained.
26(A) An itemized receipt that includes the information described
27above is acceptable if incorporated as a part of the continuing care
28contract.
29(B) When real property is or will be transferred, the
continuing
30care contract shall include a statement that the deed or other
31instrument of conveyance shall specify that the real property is
32conveyed pursuant to a continuing care contract and may be subject
33to rescission by the transferor within 90 days from the date that
34the resident first occupies the residential unit.
35(C) The failure to comply with this paragraph shall not affect
36the validity of title to real property transferred pursuant to this
37chapter.
38(17) The amount of the entrance fee.
39(18) In the event two parties have jointly paid the entrance fee
40or other payment that allows them to occupy the unit, the
P18 1continuing care contract shall describe how any refund of entrance
2fees is allocated.
3(19) The amount of any processing fee.
4(20) The amount of any monthly care fee.
5(21) For continuing care contracts that require a monthly care
6fee or other periodic payment, the continuing care contract shall
7include the following:
8(A) A statement that the occupancy and use of the
9accommodations by the resident is contingent upon the regular
10payment of the fee.
11(B) The regular rate of payment agreed upon (per day, week,
12or month).
13(C) A provision specifying whether payment will be made in
14advance or after services have been
provided.
15(D) A provision specifying the provider will adjust monthly
16care fees for the resident’s support, maintenance, board, or lodging,
17when a resident requires medical attention while away from the
18continuing care retirement community.
19(E) A provision specifying whether a credit or allowance will
20be given to a resident who is absent from the continuing care
21retirement community or from meals. This provision shall also
22state, when applicable, that the credit may be permitted at the
23discretion or by special permission of the provider.
24(F) A statement of billing practices, procedures, and timelines.
25A provider shall allow a minimum of 14 days between the date a
26bill is sent and the date payment is due. A charge for a late
payment
27may only be assessed if the amount and any condition for the
28penalty is stated on the bill.
29(G) A statement that the provider is prohibited from charging
30the resident or his or her estate a monthly fee once a unit has been
31permanently vacated by the resident, unless the fee is part of an
32equity interest contract.
33(22) All continuing care contracts that include monthly care
34fees shall address changes in monthly care fees by including either
35of the following provisions:
36(A) For prepaid continuing care contracts, which include
37monthly care fees, one of the following methods:
38(i) Fees shall not be subject to change during the lifetime of the
39agreement.
P19 1(ii) Fees shall not be increased by more than a specified number
2of dollars in any one year and not more than a specified number
3of dollars during the lifetime of the agreement.
4(iii) Fees shall not be increased in excess of a specified
5percentage over the preceding year and not more than a specified
6percentage during the lifetime of the agreement.
7(B) For monthly fee continuing care contracts, except prepaid
8contracts, changes in monthly care fees shall be based on projected
9costs, prior year per capita costs, and economic indicators.
10(23) A provision requiring that the provider give written notice
11to the resident at least 30 days in advance of any change in the
12resident’s
monthly care fees or in the price or scope of any
13component of care or other services.
14(24) A provision indicating whether the resident’s rights under
15the continuing care contract include any proprietary interests in
16the assets of the provider or in the continuing care retirement
17community, or both. Any statement in a contract concerning an
18ownership interest shall appear in a large-sized font or print.
19(25) If the continuing care retirement community property is
20encumbered by a security interest that is senior to any claims the
21residents may have to enforce continuing care contracts, a provision
22shall advise the residents that any claims they may have under the
23continuing care contract are subordinate to the rights of the secured
24lender. For equity projects, the continuing care contract
shall
25specify the type and extent of the equity interest and whether any
26entity holds a security interest.
27(26) Notice that the living units are part of a continuing care
28retirement community that is licensed as a residential care facility
29for the elderly and, as a result, any duly authorized agent of the
30department may, upon proper identification and upon stating the
31purpose of his or her visit, enter and inspect the entire premises at
32any time, without advance notice.
33(27) A conspicuous statement, in at least 10-point boldface type
34in immediate proximity to the space reserved for the signatures of
35the resident and, if applicable, the transferor, that provides as
36follows: “You, the resident or transferor, may cancel the transaction
37without cause at any time within 90 days from
the date you first
38occupy your living unit. See the attached notice of cancellation
39form for an explanation of this right.”
P20 1(28) Notice that during the cancellation period, the continuing
2care contract may be canceled upon 30 days’ written notice by the
3provider without cause, or that the provider waives this right.
4(29) The terms and conditions under which the continuing care
5contract may be terminated after the cancellation period by either
6party, including any health or financial conditions.
7(30) A statement that, after the cancellation period, a provider
8may unilaterally terminate the continuing care contract only if the
9provider has good and sufficient cause.
10(A) Any continuing care contract containing a clause that
11provides for a continuing care contract to be terminated for “just
12cause,” “good cause,” or other similar provision, shall also include
13a provision that none of the following activities by the resident,
14or on behalf of the resident, constitutes “just cause,” “good cause,”
15or otherwise activates the termination provision:
16(i) Filing or lodging a formal complaint with the department or
17other appropriate authority.
18(ii) Participation in an organization or affiliation of residents,
19or other similar lawful activity.
20(B) The provision required by this paragraph shall also state
21that the provider shall not discriminate or retaliate in any manner
22against any
resident of a continuing care retirement community
23for contacting the department, or any other state, county, or city
24agency, or any elected or appointed government official to file a
25complaint or for any other reason, or for participation in a residents’
26organization or association.
27(C) Nothing in this paragraph diminishes the provider’s ability
28to terminate the continuing care contract for good and sufficient
29cause.
30(31) A statement that at least 90 days’ written notice to the
31resident is required for a unilateral termination of the continuing
32care contract by the provider.
33(32) A statement concerning the length of notice that a resident
34is required to give the provider to voluntarily terminate the
35continuing care
contract after the cancellation period.
36(33) The policy or terms for refunding or repaying a lump sum
37of any portion of the entrance fee, in the event of cancellation,
38termination, or death. Every continuing care contract that provides
39for a refund or repaying a lump sum of all or a part of the entrance
40fee shall also do all of the following:
P21 1(A) Specify the amount, if any, the resident has paid or will pay
2for upgrades, special features, or modifications to the resident’s
3unit.
4(B) State that if the continuing care contract is canceled or
5terminated by the provider, the provider shall do both of the
6following:
7(i) Amortize the specified amount at the same
rate as the
8resident’s entrance fee.
9(ii) Refund the unamortized balance to the resident at the same
10time the provider pays the resident’s entrance fee refund.
11(C) State that the resident has a right to terminate his or her
12contract after 18 months of residential temporary relocation, as
13defined in paragraph (8) of subdivision (r) of Section 1771.
14Provisions for refunds due to cancellation pursuant to this
15subparagraph shall be set forth in the contract.
16(D) begin delete(i)end deletebegin delete end deleteState the provider shall make a good-faith effort to
17reoccupy or resell a unit for which a
lump-sum payment is
18conditioned upon resale of the unit. No later than July 1, 2016, a
19provider shall provide notice to all current residents with contracts
20applicable to this subparagraph regarding the statement required
21by this subparagraph as a clarification of the resident’s existing
22contract.
23(ii) The department, in response to a complaint from the resident
24or the resident’s estate, may determine if a provider has failed to
25make a sufficient good faith effort to reoccupy or resell a unit for
26which a lump-sum payment is conditioned upon resale of the unit.
27An insufficient good faith effort on behalf of the provider shall
28include, but is not limited to, the failure to undergo the facility’s
29refurbishment process for reletting, the failure to make needed
30repairs, the failure to reasonably market the unit to potential
31residents, or the failure to show the unit to prospective residents.
32(iii) If the department makes a determination that a provider
33has failed to make a good faith effort to reoccupy or resell a unit
34pursuant to clause (ii), the provider shall repay the full lump-sum
35payment owed to the resident or resident’s estate within 14 days
36of the department’s determination, and shall reimburse the
37department for any costs incurred by the department that are
38associated with the department’s determination.
39(E) For all contracts with a repayment of all or a portion of the
40entrance fee conditioned upon the resale of the unit, the provider
P22 1shall state the average and longest amount of time that it has taken
2to resell a unit within the last five calendar years.
3(34) The following notice at the bottom of the signatory page:
“NOTICE” |
(date) |
7“This is a continuing care contract as defined by paragraph (8)
8of subdivision (c), or subdivision (l) of Section 1771 of the
9California Health and Safety Code. This continuing care contract
10form has been approved by the State Department of Social Services
11as required by subdivision (b) of Section 1787 of the California
12Health and Safety Code. The basis for this approval was a
13determination that (provider name) has submitted a contract that
14complies with the minimum statutory requirements applicable to
15continuing care contracts. The department does not approve or
16disapprove any of the financial or health care coverage provisions
17in this contract. Approval by the department is NOT a guaranty
18of performance or an endorsement of any continuing care contract
19
provisions. Prospective transferors and residents are strongly
20encouraged to carefully consider the benefits and risks of this
21continuing care contract and to seek financial and legal advice
22before signing.”
23(35) The provider may not attempt to absolve itself in the
24continuing care contract from liability for its negligence by any
25statement to that effect, and shall include the following statement
26in the contract: “Nothing in this continuing care contract limits
27either the provider’s obligation to provide adequate care and
28supervision for the resident or any liability on the part of the
29provider which may result from the provider’s failure to provide
30this care and supervision.”
31(36) Provisions describing how the provider will proceed in the
32event of a closure,
including an explanation of how the provider
33will comply with Sections 1793.80, 1793.81, 1793.82, and 1793.83.
34(b) A life care contract shall also provide that:
35(1) All levels of care, including acute care and physicians’ and
36surgeons’ services, will be provided to a resident.
37(2) Care will be provided for the duration of the resident’s life
38unless the life care contract is canceled or terminated by the
39provider during the cancellation period or after the cancellation
40period for good cause.
P23 1(3) A comprehensive continuum of care will be provided to the
2resident, including skilled nursing, in a facility under the ownership
3and supervision of the provider on, or
adjacent to, the continuing
4care retirement community premises.
5(4) Monthly care fees will not be changed based on the resident’s
6level of care or service.
7(5) A resident who becomes financially unable to pay his or her
8monthly care fees shall be subsidized provided the resident’s
9financial need does not arise from action by the resident to divest
10the resident of his or her assets.
11(c) Continuing care contracts may include provisions that do
12any of the following:
13(1) Subsidize a resident who becomes financially unable to pay
14for his or her monthly care fees at some future date. If a continuing
15care contract provides for subsidizing a resident, it may
also
16provide for any of the following:
17(A) The resident shall apply for any public assistance or other
18aid for which he or she is eligible and that the provider may apply
19for assistance on behalf of the resident.
20(B) The provider’s decision shall be final and conclusive
21regarding any adjustments to be made or any action to be taken
22regarding any charitable consideration extended to any of its
23residents.
24(C) The provider is entitled to payment for the actual costs of
25care out of any property acquired by the resident subsequent to
26any adjustment extended to the resident under this paragraph, or
27from any other property of the resident that the resident failed to
28disclose.
29(D) The provider may pay the monthly premium of the resident’s
30health insurance coverage under Medicare to ensure that those
31payments will be made.
32(E) The provider may receive an assignment from the resident
33of the right to apply for and to receive the benefits, for and on
34behalf of the resident.
35(F) The provider is not responsible for the costs of furnishing
36the resident with any services, supplies, and medication, when
37reimbursement is reasonably available from any governmental
38agency, or any private insurance.
P24 1(G) Any refund due to the resident at the termination of the
2continuing care contract may be offset by any prior subsidy to the
3resident by the provider.
4(2) Limit responsibility for costs associated with the treatment
5or medication of an ailment or illness existing prior to the date of
6admission. In these cases, the medical or surgical exceptions, as
7disclosed by the medical entrance examination, shall be listed in
8the continuing care contract or in a medical report attached to and
9made a part of the continuing care contract.
10(3) Identify legal remedies that may be available to the provider
11if the resident makes any material misrepresentation or omission
12pertaining to the resident’s assets or health.
13(4) Restrict transfer or assignments of the resident’s rights and
14privileges under a continuing care contract due to the personal
15nature of the continuing care contract.
16(5) Protect the provider’s ability to waive a resident’s breach
17of the terms or provisions of the continuing care contract in specific
18instances without relinquishing its right to insist upon full
19compliance by the resident with all terms or provisions in the
20contract.
21(6) Provide that the resident shall reimburse the provider for
22any uninsured loss or damage to the resident’s unit, beyond normal
23wear and tear, resulting from the resident’s carelessness or
24
negligence.
25(7) Provide that the resident agrees to observe the off-limit areas
26of the continuing care retirement community designated by the
27provider for safety reasons. The provider may not include any
28provision in a continuing care contract that absolves the provider
29from liability for its negligence.
30(8) Provide for the subrogation to the provider of the resident’s
31rights in the case of injury to a resident caused by the acts or
32omissions of a third party, or for the assignment of the resident’s
33recovery or benefits in this case to the provider, to the extent of
34the value of the goods and services furnished by the provider to
35or on behalf of the resident as a result of the injury.
36(9) Provide for a
lien on any judgment, settlement, or recovery
37for any additional expense incurred by the provider in caring for
38the resident as a result of injury.
39(10) Require the resident’s cooperation and assistance in the
40diligent prosecution of any claim or action against any third party.
P25 1(11) Provide for the appointment of a conservator or guardian
2by a court with jurisdiction in the event a resident becomes unable
3to handle his or her personal or financial affairs.
4(12) Allow a provider, whose property is tax exempt, to charge
5the resident, on a pro rata basis, property taxes, or in-lieu taxes,
6that the provider is required to pay.
7(13) Make any other provision approved by the department.
8(d) A copy of the resident’s rights as described in Section 1771.7
9shall be attached to every continuing care contract.
10(e) A copy of the current audited financial statement of the
11provider shall be attached to every continuing care contract. For
12a provider whose current audited financial statement does not
13accurately reflect the financial ability of the provider to fulfill the
14continuing care contract obligations, the financial statement
15attached to the continuing care contract shall include all of the
16following:
17(1) A disclosure that the reserve requirement has not yet been
18determined or met, and that entrance fees will not be held in
19escrow.
20(2) A disclosure that the ability to provide the services promised
21in the continuing care contract will depend on successful
22compliance with the approved financial plan.
23(3) A copy of the approved financial plan for meeting the reserve
24requirements.
25(4) Any other supplemental statements or attachments necessary
26to accurately represent the provider’s financial ability to fulfill its
27continuing care contract obligations.
28(f) A schedule of the average monthly care fees charged to
29residents for each type of residential living unit for each of the five
30years preceding execution of the continuing care contract shall be
31attached to every continuing care contract. The provider shall
32update this schedule annually at the
end of each fiscal year. If the
33continuing care retirement community has not been in existence
34for five years, the information shall be provided for each of the
35years the continuing care retirement community has been in
36existence.
37(g) If any continuing care contract provides for a health
38insurance policy for the benefit of the resident, the provider shall
39attach to the continuing care contract a binder complying with
40Sections 382 and 382.5 of the Insurance Code.
P26 1(h) The provider shall attach to every continuing care contract
2a completed form in duplicate, captioned “Notice of Cancellation.”
3The notice shall be easily detachable, and shall contain, in at least
410-point boldface type, the following statement:
“NOTICE OF CANCELLATION” |
(date) |
Your first date of occupancy under this contract |
|
is: _____________________________________________ |
10“You may cancel this transaction, without any penalty within
1190 calendar days from the above date.
12If you cancel, any property transferred, any
payments made by
13you under the contract, and any negotiable instrument executed
14by you will be returned within 14 calendar days after making
15possession of the living unit available to the provider. Any security
16interest arising out of the transaction will be canceled.
17If you cancel, you are obligated to pay a reasonable processing
18fee to cover costs and to pay for the reasonable value of the services
19received by you from the provider up to the date you canceled or
20made available to the provider the possession of any living unit
21delivered to you under this contract, whichever is later.
22If you cancel, you must return possession of any living unit
23delivered to you under this contract to the provider in substantially
24the same condition as when you took possession.
25Possession of the living
unit must be made available to the
26provider within 20 calendar days of your notice of cancellation.
27If you fail to make the possession of any living unit available to
28the provider, then you remain liable for performance of all
29obligations under the contract.
30To cancel this transaction, mail or deliver a signed and dated
31copy of this cancellation notice, or any other written notice, or
32send a telegram
to |
|
(Name of provider) |
|
---|---|
at |
|
(Address of provider’s place of business) |
|
not later than midnight of _____________ (date). |
|
I hereby cancel this |
|
|
(Resident’s or |
Section 1788.4 of the Health and Safety Code is
5amended to read:
(a) During the cancellation period, the provider shall
7pay all refunds owed to a resident within 14 calendar days after a
8resident makes possession of the living unit available to the
9provider.
10(b) After the cancellation period, any refunds due to a resident
11under a continuing care contract shall be paid within 14 calendar
12days after a resident makes possession of the living unit available
13to the provider or 90 calendar days after death or receipt of notice
14of termination, whichever is later.
15(c) In nonequity projects, if the continuing care contract is
16canceled by either party
during the cancellation period or
17terminated by the provider after the cancellation period, the resident
18shall be refunded the difference between the total amount of
19entrance, monthly, and optional fees paid and the amount used for
20care of the resident.
21(d) If a resident has paid additional amounts for upgrades,
22special features, or modifications to the living unit and the provider
23terminates the resident’s continuing care contract, the provider
24shall amortize those additional amounts at the same rate as the
25entrance fee and shall refund the unamortized balance to the
26resident.
27(e) (1) A lump-sum payment to a resident after termination of
28a continuing care contract that is conditioned upon resale of the
29unit shall not be considered to be a refund and may not
be
30characterized or advertised as a refund. The full lump-sum payment
31shall be paid to the resident within 14 calendar days after resale
32of the unit. For contracts signed after January 1, 2016,
33notwithstanding a provider’s documented good-faith effort to resell
34the unit, the resident is entitled to the repayment of a specified
35portion, pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B), of the full
36lump-sum payment if the unit remains vacant 120 days after the
37resident’s termination. This repayment shall not cause the contract
38in question to be deemed a refundable contract, as defined in
39paragraph (2) of subdivision (r) of Section 1771.
P28 1(A) When a continuing care contract is terminated by the death
2of a resident, at least 10 percent of the full lump-sum payment
3shall be paid to the resident’s estate within 120 days after the
4resident’s
termination.
5(B) When a continuing care contract is terminated for a reason
6not described in subparagraph (A), at least 20 percent of the full
7lump-sum payment shall be paid to the resident within 120 days
8after the resident’s termination.
9(2) Any payment balance that has not been paid to the resident
10within 120 days shall accrue interest at a rate calculated pursuant
11to paragraph (3). Any payment balance that has not been paid to
12the resident within 180 days shall accrue interest at a rate calculated
13pursuant to paragraph (4). Interest shall continue to accrue until
14the date the full lump-sum payment is paid to the resident. This
15paragraph shall apply only to
continuing care contracts entered
16into on or after January 1, 2016.
17(3) Any payments that are not paid to the resident within the
18120-day period pursuant to paragraph (2) shall accruebegin delete interestend delete
19begin insert compound interest every 30 daysend insert at a rate not lower than 4 percent.
20(4) Any payments that are not paid to the resident within the
21180-day period pursuant to paragraph (2) shall accruebegin delete interestend delete
22begin insert compound interest every 30 daysend insert at a rate
not lower than 6 percent.
23(f) After the death of a resident, a lump-sum payment that is
24conditioned upon resale of a unit shall be subject to subdivision
25(e) and the payment and interest, if any, shall be payable to the
26resident’s estate.
27(g) Except as otherwise obligated by an equity interest contract,
28once the unit has been vacated and made available to the provider,
29the provider shall not make any further charges to the resident or
30his or her estate or charges against the lump-sum payment that is
31due to the resident for purposes of continued monthly payments
32to the provider or for maintenance or housekeeping on the vacated
33unit.
34(h) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or alter
35any legal
remedies otherwise available to a resident or his or her
36estate.
begin insertSection 1788.5 is added to the end insertbegin insertHealth and Safety Codeend insertbegin insert,
38to read:end insert
(a) Any resident whose contract calls for a lump-sum
40payment conditioned upon resale of a unit may file a complaint
P29 1with the department if the unit has not been resold for more than
2twelve months after possession of the unit was made available to
3the provider. A resident may file such a complaint regardless of
4whether or not the contract includes a provision expressly
5requiring a good faith effort to resell the unit.
6(b) (1) In response to the complaint, the department shall
7perform an investigation to determine whether the provider has
8made a sufficient good faith effort to resell or reoccupy the unit.
9At the department’s discretion, the investigation may include any
10of the following:
11(A) Inspections of the unit and the continuing care retirement
12community.
13(B) Interviews of provider, staff, and employees.
14(C) Opinions and analysis from consultants.
15(D) Written submissions from the resident or provider.
16(E) A hearing.
17(2) The department shall consider whether the provider has
18adequately refurbished the unit for reletting, made necessary
19repairs, reasonably marketed the unit to potential residents, and
20shown the unit to prospective residents.
21(c) Following the investigation, the department shall issue a
22written determination, which includes a
statement of the basis for
23the determination.
24(d) A resident, in the case of a determination of sufficient good
25faith, or a provider, in the case of a determination of lack of
26sufficient good faith, shall have the right to submit to the
27department a written request for a formal review of the
28determination within 20 business days after the department issues
29the written determination. The party requesting review shall
30provide all supporting documentation at that time. If no written
31request for review is made, the department’s determination shall
32be considered final. If a written request for review is made, the
33review shall be conducted by the deputy director of the Community
34Care Licensing Division. If the department requires additional
35information from the resident or provider, it shall be requested
36within the first 30 business days after receiving the request for
37review. The resident or provider shall provide this additional
38information within
20 business days after it is requested by the
39department. If the deputy director determines that the previous
40determination was not made in accordance with applicable statutes
P30 1or regulations of the department, the department shall withdraw
2its previous determination and issue a new determination. The
3resident and provider shall be notified in writing of the deputy
4director’s decision within 40 business days from the time when all
5necessary information has been received by the department. The
6deputy director’s decision is considered final and concludes the
7administrative appeal rights of the resident and provider.
8(e) If the department determines that the provider has not made
9a sufficient good faith effort to reoccupy or resell the unit, the
10provider shall repay the full lump-sum payment owed to the
11resident within 20 business days after the department’s
12determination becomes final, and the provider shall reimburse the
13department for reasonable
costs associated with the investigation
14of good faith within 20 business days after the department issues
15a statement of costs. The department’s final determination and its
16factual findings, and any interim determination and factual
17findings, shall be inadmissible in court or any other proceeding,
18with the exception of any proceeding to enforce this subdivision.
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