A. Whenever a determination is made that one of the following conditions exists, the State Commissioner of Health shall take whatever steps necessary to protect the health, welfare and safety of the residents including, if necessary, petitioning the court to place the facility under the control of a receiver to ensure that the residents receive adequate care:

1. The facility is operating without a license;

2. The State Department of Health has suspended, revoked or refused to renew the existing license of the facility;

3. The facility is closing or has informed the Department that it intends to close and adequate arrangements for relocation of residents have not been made at least thirty (30) days prior to closure;

4. An emergency exists, whether or not the Department has initiated revocation or nonrenewal procedures, if because of the unwillingness or inability of the licensee to remedy the emergency, the appointment of a receiver is necessary; or

5. It is necessary to ensure that the residents get adequate care in a situation in which the residents' health and safety are threatened.

B. The court shall hold a hearing within five (5) days of the filing of the petition. The petition and notice of the hearing shall be served on the owner, administrator or designated agent of the facility and the petition and notice of hearing shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the facility not later than three (3) days before the time specified for the hearing, unless a different time limit is fixed by order of the court. The court shall appoint a receiver for a limited time period, not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days, which shall automatically terminate the receivership unless extended by the court.

C. If a petition filed under this section alleges an emergency exists, the court may set the matter for hearing at the earliest possible time. The petitioner shall notify the licensee, administrator of the facility or registered agent of the licensee more than five (5) days prior to the hearing. Any form of written notice may be used. A receivership shall not be established ex parte by the court unless the Commissioner, under oath, has provided a statement that the Commissioner has personally determined that there is a life-endangering situation. A waiver of the five-day notice requirement may be approved by the court in life-endangering situations as determined and confirmed under oath, by the Commissioner.

Added by Laws 2002, c. 230, § 11, eff. Nov. 1, 2002.