(a)  The licensing agency shall after public hearing pursuant to reasonable notice, adopt, amend, promulgate, and enforce any rules, regulations, and standards with respect to assisted-living residences for adults licensed under this chapter as may be designed to further the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter in promoting safe and adequate living environments for individuals in assisted-living residences in the interest of public safety and welfare. These regulations may provide for the establishment of levels of service provided by the residence.

lawyer at desk

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 23-17.4-10

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Director: means the director of the Rhode Island department of health. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-17.4-2
  • Licensing agency: means the Rhode Island department of health. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-17.4-2
  • Resident: means an individual not requiring medical or nursing care as provided in a healthcare facility but who as a result of choice and/or physical or mental limitation requires personal assistance, lodging and meals and may require the administration of medication and/or limited health services. See Rhode Island General Laws 23-17.4-2

(b)  The licensing agency shall make or cause to be made any inspections and investigations that it deems necessary by duly authorized agents of the director at any time and frequency determined by the licensing agency. The licensing agency shall establish regulations to determine the frequency of inspections that shall include, but not be limited to, the residence’s past compliance with regulations, complaint investigations, quality of care issues and license type. However, the licensing agency shall, on a biennial basis, conduct an unannounced, on-site inspection of all licensed assisted-living residences. The licensing agency shall, on an annual basis, cause no less than ten percent (10%) of all assisted-living inspections to be conducted, in whole or in part, on nights and/or weekends.

(c)  Upon request of the licensing agency, health agencies and professionals may share resident health status information with the department of health for the purpose of determining each resident’s capability of self preservation.

(d)  Each assisted-living residence licensed under this chapter shall have a plan for preventing the hazards of residents wandering from the facility. This plan shall be submitted to the licensing agency in a format determined by the director.

History of Section.
P.L. 1981, ch. 212, § 2; P.L. 1981, ch. 226, § 2; P.L. 1991, ch. 240, § 2; P.L 1992, ch. 411, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 157, § 1; P.L. 2002, ch. 158, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 387, § 2; P.L. 2006, ch. 541, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 550, § 1; P.L. 2017, ch. 203, § 2; P.L. 2017, ch. 267, § 2.