(a)  Whenever circumstances exist indicating that continued management of a long-term health care facility by the current licensee would present a substantial probability or imminent danger of serious physical harm or death to the patients, or there exists in the facility a condition in substantial violation of this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter, or the facility exhibits a pattern or practice of habitual violation of this chapter or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto, or the facility is closing or intends to terminate operation as a licensed long-term health care facility and adequate arrangements for relocation of residents have not been made at least 30 days prior to the closing or termination, the director may petition the superior court for the county in which the long-term health care facility is located for an order appointing a receiver to temporarily operate the long-term health care facility in accordance with this article.

The petition shall allege the facts upon which the action is based and shall be supported by an affidavit of the director. A copy of the petition and affidavits, together with an order to appear and show cause why temporary authority to operate the long-term health care facility should not be vested in a receiver pursuant to this article, shall be delivered to the licensee, administrator, or a responsible person at the facility to the attention of the licensee and administrator. The order shall specify a hearing date, which shall be not less than five, nor more than 10, days following delivery of the petition and order upon the licensee, except that the court may shorten or lengthen the time upon a showing of just cause.

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(b)  If the director files a petition pursuant to subdivision (a) for appointment of a receiver to operate a long-term health care facility, in accordance with Section 564 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the director may also petition the court, in accordance with Section 527 of the Code of Civil Procedure, for an order appointing a temporary receiver. A temporary receiver appointed by the court pursuant to this subdivision shall serve until the court has made a final determination on the petition for appointment of a receiver filed pursuant to subdivision (a). A receiver appointed pursuant to this subdivision shall have the same powers and duties as a receiver would have if appointed pursuant to subdivision (a).

At the time of the hearing, the state department shall advise the licensee of the name of the proposed receiver. The receiver shall be a licensed nursing home administrator or other responsible person or entity, as determined by the court, from a list of qualified receivers established by the state department, with input from providers of long-term care and consumer representatives. The department shall consult with the Board of Nursing Home Administrators, in order to screen potential receivers who are licensed by the board, and to determine if they are administrators in good standing. Persons appearing on the list shall have experience in the delivery of health care services, and, if feasible, shall have experience with the operation of a long-term health care facility. The receivers shall have sufficient background and experience in management and finances to ensure compliance with orders issued by the court. The owner, licensee, or administrator shall not be appointed as the receiver unless authorized by the court.

If at the conclusion of the hearing, which may include oral testimony and cross-examination at the option of any party, the court determines that adequate grounds exist for the appointment of a receiver and that there is no other reasonably available remedy to protect the patients, the court may issue an order appointing a receiver to temporarily operate the long-term health care facility and enjoining the licensee from interfering with the receiver in the conduct of his or her duties. The court shall in any such proceedings make written findings of fact and conclusions of law, and shall require an appropriate bond to be filed by the receiver and paid for by the licensee. The bond shall be in an amount necessary to protect the licensee in the event of any failure on the part of the receiver to act in a reasonable manner. The bond requirement may be waived by the licensee.

The court may permit the licensee to participate in the continued operation of the facility during the pendency of any receivership ordered pursuant to this section and shall issue an order detailing the nature and scope of participation.

Failure of the licensee to appear at the hearing on the petition shall constitute an admission of all factual allegations contained in the petition for purposes of these proceedings only.

The licensee shall receive notice and a copy of the application each time the receiver applies to the court or the state department for instructions regarding his or her duties under the provisions of this article, when an accounting pursuant to Section 1330 is submitted, and when a report pursuant to Section 1332 or other report is submitted. The licensee shall have an opportunity to present objections or otherwise participate in any such proceeding.

(c)  (1)  The director may petition the superior court pursuant to this section for the county in which any health facility, as defined in subdivision (e), (g), or (h) of Section 1250, providing long-term care for persons with developmental disabilities is located, for an order appointing a temporary receiver to operate the facility for a maximum of 120 days in accordance with this article.

(2)  The state department may provide onsite technical assistance to the receiver appointed pursuant to this subdivision, if requested by the receiver, to continue operation of the facility. The technical assistance may include, but need not be limited to, technical assistance regarding any of the following:

(A)  Staff training and personnel management.

(B)  Rate adjustment applications and appeals.

(C)  Administrative practices and procedures.

(D)  Fiscal management.

(E)  Licensing regulations and review procedures.

(3)  The state department shall notify the State Department of Developmental Services and the appropriate regional center, or centers, of the receivership action.

(4)  When the director has determined that the facility specified in paragraph (1) presents a risk of abruptly closing, but the director determines that the situation does not require the filing of a petition with the court for an order appointing a receiver, the director may provide onsite technical assistance as specified in paragraph (2) to the operator of the facility if the operator requests the assistance.

(Amended by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1275, Sec. 56. Effective January 1, 1995.)