(1) A permit issued under this part is valid only for the person or entity to which it is issued and is not subject to sale, assignment, or other transfer, voluntarily or involuntarily.

(2) A permit issued under this part is not valid for an establishment other than the establishment for which it was originally issued.

(3) The department may approve the following permit changes:

(a) Change of location.—A person or entity permitted under this part must notify and receive approval from the department before changing location. The department shall set a change-of-location fee not to exceed $100.

(b) Change in ownership.—If a majority of the ownership or controlling interest of a permitted establishment is transferred or assigned or if a lessee agrees to undertake or provide services such that legal liability for operation of the establishment will rest with the lessee, an application for a new permit is required. Such application must be submitted and approved by the department before the change of ownership takes place. However, if a permitted wholesale distributor or manufacturer is changing ownership and the new owner has held another permit that allows the wholesale distribution of medical gas under this chapter for the preceding 18 months without having been found in violation of the provisions of this chapter relating to medical gases, then the new owner may operate under the permit of the acquired entity if the new owner submits the application for a new permit by the first business day after ownership is transferred or assigned. A new owner operating under the original permit is responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations governing medical gas. If the application is denied, the new owner shall immediately cease operation at the establishment until a permit is issued to the new owner.

(c) Change of name.—A permitholder may make a change of business name without submitting a new permit application. However, the permitholder must notify the department before making the name change.

(d) Closure.—If an establishment permitted under this part closes, the owner must notify the department, in writing, before the effective date of the closure and must:

1. Return the permit to the department; and

2. Indicate the disposition of any medical gas authorized to be distributed or dispensed under the permit, including the name, address, and inventory, and provide the name and address of a person to contact regarding access to the records that are required to be maintained under this part. Transfer of ownership of medical gas may be made only to persons authorized to receive medical gas pursuant to this part.

(e) Change in information.—Any change in the information required under this part, other than the changes in paragraphs (a)-(d), shall be submitted to the department within 30 days after such change occurs.

(4) A permitholder in good standing may change the type of permit issued by completing a new application for the requested permit, meeting the applicable permitting requirements for the new permit type, and paying any difference between the permit fees. A refund may not be issued if the fee for the new permit is less than the fee that was paid for the original permit. The new permit retains the expiration date of the original permit.

History.—s. 18, ch. 2014-89.