(a)  Within 24 hours after the nursing home administrator acquires actual knowledge or credible information that any of the events specified in subdivision (b) has occurred, the nursing home administrator shall notify the department’s district office for licensing and certification of that knowledge or information. This notification may be in written form if it is provided by telephone facsimile or overnight mail, or by telephone with a written confirmation within five calendar days. The information provided pursuant to this subdivision may not be released to the public by the department unless its release is needed to justify an action taken by the department or it otherwise becomes a matter of public record. A violation of this section may result in a citation.

(b)  All of the following occurrences shall require notification pursuant to this section as long as the administrator has actual knowledge of the occurrence:

(1)  The licensee of a facility receives notice that a judgment lien has been levied against the facility or any of the assets of the facility or the licensee.

(2)  A financial institution refuses to honor a check or other instrument issued by the licensee to its employees for a regular payroll.

(3)  The supplies, including food items and other perishables, on hand in the facility fall below the minimum specified by any applicable statute or regulation.

(4)  The financial resources of the licensee fall below the amount needed to operate the facility for a period of at least 45 days based on the current occupancy of the facility.

(5)  The licensee fails to make timely payment of any premiums required to maintain required insurance policies or bonds in effect, or any tax lien levied by any government agency.

(Added by Stats. 2001, Ch. 687, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 2002.)