S*359 Session 112 (1997-1998)
S*0359(Rat #0125, Act #0066 of 1997) General Bill, By Giese
A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 35, TITLE 40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH
CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO LICENSING AND REGULATION OF LONG TERM HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATORS, SO AS TO CONFORM THIS CHAPTER TO THE STATUTORY ORGANIZATIONAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL
LICENSING BOARDS IN CHAPTER 1, TITLE 40, AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE
LICENSURE AND REGULATION OF LONG TERM HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATORS INCLUDING TO
FURTHER PROVIDE FOR NURSING HOME REPRESENTATION ON THE BOARD AND TO REVISE
TIME FRAMES FOR REINSTATING LAPSED LICENSES.
02/12/97 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-6
02/12/97 Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs SJ-6
03/12/97 Senate Committee report: Favorable Medical Affairs SJ-19
03/13/97 Senate Read second time SJ-24
03/13/97 Senate Unanimous consent for third reading on next
legislative day SJ-24
03/14/97 Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-2
03/18/97 House Introduced and read first time HJ-8
03/18/97 House Referred to Committee on Medical, Military,
Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-8
04/23/97 House Committee report: Favorable with amendment
Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs HJ-7
04/29/97 House Debate adjourned until Wednesday, April 30, 1997 HJ-72
04/30/97 House Debate adjourned until Thursday, May 1, 1997 HJ-34
05/01/97 House Debate adjourned until Tuesday, May 6, 1997 HJ-23
05/06/97 House Debate adjourned until Wednesday, May 7, 1997 HJ-21
05/07/97 House Amended HJ-43
05/07/97 House Read second time HJ-44
05/08/97 House Read third time and returned to Senate with
amendments HJ-15
05/27/97 Senate Concurred in House amendment and enrolled SJ-13
06/04/97 Ratified R 125
06/10/97 Signed By Governor
06/10/97 Effective date 06/10/97
06/24/97 Copies available
06/24/97 Act No. 66
(A66, R125, S359)
AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 35, TITLE 40, AS AMENDED,
CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO
LICENSING AND REGULATION OF LONG TERM HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATORS, SO AS TO CONFORM THIS CHAPTER TO
THE STATUTORY ORGANIZATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
FRAMEWORK ESTABLISHED FOR PROFESSIONAL AND
OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS IN CHAPTER 1, TITLE 40,
AND TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSURE AND
REGULATION OF LONG TERM HEALTH CARE
ADMINISTRATORS INCLUDING TO FURTHER PROVIDE FOR
NURSING HOME REPRESENTATION ON THE BOARD AND TO
REVISE TIME FRAMES FOR REINSTATING LAPSED LICENSES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Practice act revised and reorganized
SECTION 1. Chapter 35, Title 40 of the 1976 Code is amended to
read:
"CHAPTER 35
Long Term Health Care Administrators
Section 40-35-5. Unless otherwise provided for in this chapter,
Article 1, Chapter 1 applies to the regulation of nursing home
administrators and residential care facility administrators; however, if
there is a conflict between this chapter and Article 1, Chapter 1, the
provisions of this chapter control.
Section 40-35-10. (A) There is created the South Carolina Board of
Long Term Health Care Administrators composed of nine members who
must be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the
Senate, for three-year terms and until their successors are appointed and
qualify. Of the nine members:
(1) three must be qualified nursing home administrators licensed
under this chapter, one must be from a proprietary nursing home, one of
whom must be from a nonproprietary nursing home, and one must be a
qualified hospital administrator;
(2) three must be community residential care facility administrators,
licensed under this chapter, at least one of whom must be from a
community residential care facility with ten or fewer residents;
(3) one must be a consumer, sponsor, or family member of a
consumer of nursing home services;
(4) one must be a consumer, sponsor, or family member of a
consumer of community residential care services;
(5) one must be a voting member of the Long Term Care
Committee of the Health and Human Services Coordinating Council who
must be nominated by election of the committee from among its voting
members. If the Governor does not accept the nomination, an additional
nominee must be selected in the same manner.
The Commissioner of the Department of Health and Environmental
Control, or his designee, also shall serve as a nonvoting member on the
board ex officio.
An individual, group, or association may submit the names of qualified
individuals to the Governor for his consideration in making these
appointments.
A vacancy must be filled in the manner of the original appointment for
the unexpired portion of the term. A member may not serve more than
two consecutive full terms.
(B) The board shall meet at least twice a year.
(C) Any business conducted by the board must be by a positive
majority vote. For purposes of this subsection 'positive majority vote'
means a majority vote of the entire membership of the board, reduced by
any vacancies existing at the time.
Section 40-35-20. As used in this chapter:
(1) 'Accredited college or university' means a college or university
whose accreditation is recognized by the Council on Post-secondary
Accreditation and the United States Department of Education.
(2) 'Board' means the South Carolina Board of Long Term Health
Care Administrators.
(3) 'Community residential care facility' means a facility defined for
licensing purposes under law or pursuant to regulations for community
residential care facilities by the Department of Health and Environmental
Control, whether proprietary or nonprofit.
(4) 'Community residential care facility administrator' means a person
who has attained the required education and experience, is otherwise
qualified, has been issued a license by the board, and is eligible to
administer, manage, supervise, or be in administrative charge of a
community residential care facility.
(5) 'Consumer' means a person who is or has been a resident of a
nursing home or community residential care facility.
(6) 'Habilitation center' for the mentally retarded or persons with
related conditions means a facility which is licensed by the Department
of Health and Environmental Control and that serves four or more
mentally retarded persons or persons with related conditions and provides
health or rehabilitative services on a regular basis to individuals whose
mental and physical conditions require services including room, board,
and active treatment for their mental retardation or related conditions.
(7) 'Nursing home' means an institution or facility defined for
licensing purposes under law or pursuant to regulations for nursing homes
promulgated by the Department of Health and Environmental Control,
whether proprietary or nonprofit including, but not limited to, nursing
homes owned or administered by the State or a political subdivision of the
State. The term does not include habilitation centers for the mentally
retarded or persons with related conditions.
(8) 'Nursing home administrator' means a person who has attained the
requisite education and experience, is otherwise qualified, and has been
issued a license by the board and is eligible to administer, manage,
supervise, or be in administrative charge of a nursing home.
(9) 'Qualified mental retardation professional' means a person who, by
training and experience, meets the requirements of applicable federal law
and regulations for a qualified mental retardation professional, as
determined by the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs.
(10) 'Sponsor' means a person who is financially or legally responsible
for an individual currently residing in a nursing home or residential care
facility.
Section 40-35-30. (A) No nursing home or community residential
care facility within the State may operate except under the supervision of
an administrator licensed in accordance with this chapter.
(B) A habilitation center for the mentally retarded or persons with
related conditions, funded in whole or in part by the Department of
Disabilities and Special Needs, must be under the supervision of a
licensed nursing home administrator or a qualified mental retardation
professional who has been determined by the department to have the
requisite training and experience.
Section 40-35-50. The board may assess and collect these fees for:
(1) Nursing Home Administrators:
(a) application for licensure $200
(b) application for reexamination $135
(c) national and South Carolina examinations$250
(d) national examination $175
(e) South Carolina examination only $100
(f) provisional license $500
(g) initial licensure period $175
(h) active status renewal $175
(i) inactive status renewal $135
(2) Community Residential Care Facility Administrators:
(a) application for licensure $100
(b) application for examination $100
(c) application for reexamination $ 65
(d) provisional license $250
(e) initial licensure period $150
(f) active status renewal $150
(g) inactive status renewal $115
(3) Both Classes of Administrators:
(a) reinstatement of a lapsed license -
1st and 2nd month/per month $ 50
(b) reinstatement of a lapsed license -
3rd through 12th month/per month $ 25
(c) transfer of information for reciprocity
to another state $ 50
(d) record change $ 25
(e) record change and reissue of certificate$ 50
(f) copy of licensee lists $ 20
(g) labels for licensee list $100
(h) copy of regulations $ 5
(i) application for approval of
continuing education:
(i) by a sponsoring organization $100
(ii) for a repeat presentation $ 25
(iii) by an individual $ 15
(j) dual inactive status $250
(k) state and federal fingerprint reviews $ 38
Section 40-35-60. The board may adopt rules governing its
proceedings and may promulgate regulations necessary to carry out the
provisions of this chapter.
Section 40-35-70. In addition to the powers and duties provided for in
this chapter, the board has those powers and duties set forth in Section
40-1-70.
Section 40-35-80. The board may evaluate complaint and investigative
information received from the Department of Health and Environmental
Control, the long term care ombudsman, the Department of Social
Services, the peer review of the South Carolina Health Care Association,
or any other source for the purpose of:
(1) assessing the qualifications for relicensure of nursing home
administrators and community residential care facility administrators;
(2) taking disciplinary action;
(3) revising the standards imposed for licensure.
Section 40-35-90. The board or the appointed hearing officer shall set
the time and place for a hearing on complaints or violations of this chapter
and may issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and take testimony.
Section 40-35-100. In addition to other remedies provided for in this
chapter or Article 1, Chapter 1, the board in accordance with Section
40-1-100 also may issue a cease and desist order or may petition an
administrative law judge for a temporary restraining order or other
equitable relief to enjoin a violation of this chapter.
Section 40-35-110. Misconduct, which constitutes grounds for
revocation, suspension, or other restriction of a license or a limitation or
other discipline of a licensee, is a satisfactory showing to the board of:
(1) acting in a manner inconsistent with the health or safety of the
residents of the nursing home or community residential care facility;
(2) failing to ensure that the nursing home or community residential
care facility in which the licensee is an administrator complies with the
provisions of law and regulations of the licensing or supervising authority
or agency, whether federal, state, or local, having jurisdiction over the
operation and licensing of the nursing home or community residential care
facility;
(3) permitting unauthorized disclosure of information relating to a
resident in a nursing home or community residential care facility under
the licensee's administration.
Section 40-35-115. The board has jurisdiction over the actions of
licensees and former licensees as provided for in Section 40-1-115.
Section 40-35-120. In addition to the sanctions the board may impose
against a person pursuant to this chapter, the board may take disciplinary
action against a person as provided for in Section 40-1-120.
Section 40-35-130. As provided for in Section 40-1-130, the board
may deny licensure to an applicant based on the same grounds for which
the board may take disciplinary action against a licensee.
Section 40-35-140. A license may be denied based on a person's prior
criminal record only as provided for in Section 40-1-140.
Section 40-35-150. A licensee under investigation for a violation of
this chapter or a regulation promulgated under this chapter may
voluntarily surrender the license in accordance with Section 40-1-150.
Section 40-35-160. A person aggrieved by a final action of the board
may seek review of the decision in accordance with Section 40-1-160.
Section 40-35-170. A person found in violation of this chapter or a
regulation promulgated under this chapter may be required to pay costs
associated with the investigation and prosecution of the case in
accordance with Section 40-1-170.
Section 40-35-180. All costs and fines imposed pursuant to this
chapter must be paid in accordance with and are subject to the collection
and enforcement provisions of Section 40-1-180.
Section 40-35-190. Investigations and proceedings conducted under
this chapter are confidential, and all communications are privileged as
provided for in Section 40-1-190.
Section 40-35-200. (A) It is unlawful for a person to administer,
manage, or supervise, or be in administrative charge of a nursing home,
community residential care facility, or habilitation center for the mentally
retarded or persons with related conditions unless the person is licensed
in accordance with this chapter.
(B) It is unlawful for a person to act or serve in the capacity of a
nursing home administrator or residential care facility administrator
unless the person is licensed in accordance with this chapter.
(C) A person who violates subsection (A) or (B) is guilty of a
misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than fifty
thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than one year.
Section 40-35-210. The department, on behalf of the board and in
accordance with Section 40-1-120, may petition an administrative law
judge, in the name of the State, for injunctive relief against a person
violating this chapter.
Section 40-35-230. (A) The board shall issue a nursing home
administrator license to a person who submits sound evidence satisfactory
to the board that the person:
(1) is at least twenty-one years of age;
(2) is of reputable and responsible character;
(3) is of sound physical and mental health;
(4)(a) has a baccalaureate degree in nursing home administration or
related health care administration from an accredited college or university
and one year of practical experience in nursing home administration or
related health care administration;
(b) has a baccalaureate degree other than in health care
administration from an accredited college or university and two years of
practical experience in nursing home administration or related health care
administration; or
(c) has a combination of education and experience as established
by the board in regulation;
(5) has successfully completed the nursing home administrators
examination administered by the board; and
(6) has paid the applicable fees which are nonrefundable.
(B) The board shall issue a community residential care facility license
to a person who submits sound evidence satisfactory to the board that the
person:
(1) is at least twenty-one years of age;
(2) is of reputable and responsible character;
(3) is of sound physical and mental health;
(4) has at least twelve months' experience working in a community
residential care facility before applying for licensure;
(5) has a high school diploma or the equivalent for those applicants
applying for initial licensure after January 1, 1993;
(6) has successfully completed the community residential care
facility administrators examination administered by the board; and
(7) has paid the applicable fees which are nonrefundable.
(C) The board may establish qualifications in regulation for the
issuance of a combined nursing home administrator and community
residential care administrator license.
(D) An applicant for a nursing home administrator or community
residential care facility administrator license shall undergo a state
fingerprint review to be conducted by the State Law Enforcement
Division to determine state criminal history and a federal fingerprint
review to be conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to
determine other criminal history. In addition to the fingerprint fee, the
results of the reviews must be furnished to the board by the applicant
before initial licensure.
(E) An application must be submitted on forms approved by the
board.
Section 40-35-240. (A) A nursing home administrator's or
community residential care facility administrator's license is not
transferable.
(B) A license must be issued according to procedures established by
the board in regulation.
(C) A license must be renewed upon dates established by the board.
A licensee must submit an application for renewal, payment of the
renewal fee, and proof of requisite continuing education established by
the board in regulation. If a license is not renewed in accordance with this
subsection, the license lapses on the expiration date.
(D) A nursing home administrator or community residential care
facility administrator previously licensed in this State whose license has
lapsed for failure to renew on or before the expiration date of the license
may seek reinstatement of the license within one year of the expiration
date by submitting an application with the renewal fee, payment of a
penalty as provided in the fee schedule, and proof of requisite continuing
education.
(E) If a license has lapsed for more than one year, the individual shall
satisfy the requirements of Section 40-35-230 to become relicensed.
(F) The board must be satisfied that an applicant remains qualified for
licensure before renewal of a current license or reinstatement of a lapsed
license.
(G) The board may issue a nursing home administrator's license or
community residential care facility administrator's license to any person
who holds a current license as a nursing home administrator or
community residential care facility administrator from another jurisdiction
if it finds that the standards for licensure in the other jurisdiction are at
least the substantial equivalent of those in this State and if the applicant
has passed the South Carolina portion of the licensure examination and is
otherwise qualified.
Section 40-35-250. If a provision of this chapter or the application of
a provision to a person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does
not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be
given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end
the provisions of this chapter are severable."
Time effective
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Approved the 10th day of June, 1997. |