(a) (1)  Within 90 days after a facility accepts its first resident for placement following its initial licensure, the department shall conduct an unannounced inspection of the facility to evaluate compliance with rules and regulations and to assess the facility’s continuing ability to meet regulatory requirements. The licensee shall notify the department, within five business days after accepting its first resident for placement, that the facility has commenced operating.

(2) The department may take appropriate remedial action as provided for in this chapter.

(b) (1) Every licensed residential care facility shall be periodically inspected and evaluated for quality of care by a representative or representatives designated by the director. Unannounced inspections shall be conducted at least annually and as often as necessary to ensure the quality of care being provided.

(2) During each licensing inspection the department shall determine if the facility meets regulatory standards, including, but not limited to, providing residents with the appropriate level of care based on the facility’s license, providing adequate staffing and services, updated resident records and assessments, and compliance with basic health and safety standards.

(3) If the department determines that a resident requires a higher level of care than the facility is authorized to provide, the department may initiate a professional level of care assessment by an assessor approved by the department. An assessment shall be conducted in consultation with the resident, the resident’s physician and surgeon, and the resident’s case manager, and shall reflect the desires of the resident, the resident’s physician and surgeon, and the resident’s case manager. The assessment also shall recognize that certain illnesses are episodic in nature and that the resident’s need for a higher level of care may be temporary.

(4) The department shall notify the residential care facility in writing of all deficiencies in its compliance with this chapter and the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, and shall set a reasonable length of time for compliance by the facility.

(5) Reports on the results of each inspection or consultation shall be kept on file in the department, and all inspection reports, consultation reports, lists of deficiencies, and plans of correction shall be open to public inspection.

(c) Any duly authorized officer, employee, or agent of the department may, upon presentation of proper identification, enter and inspect any place providing personal care, supervision, and services, at any time, with or without advance notice, to secure compliance with, or to prevent a violation of, this chapter.

(d) A licensee, or officer or employee of the licensee, shall not discriminate or retaliate in any manner, including, but not limited to, eviction or threat of eviction, against any person receiving the services of the licensee’s facility, or against any employee of the licensee’s facility, on the basis, or for the reason, that the person or employee or any other person initiated or participated in the filing of a complaint, grievance, or a request for inspection with the department pursuant to this chapter or initiated or participated in the filing of a complaint, grievance, or request for investigation with the appropriate local or state ombudsman.

(e) A person who, without lawful authorization from a duly authorized officer, employee, or agent of the department, informs an owner, operator, employee, agent, or resident of a residential care facility, of an impending or proposed inspection of that facility by personnel of the department, is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 180 days, or by both a fine and imprisonment.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 278. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)