(a)  The program may issue a citation to any person who holds a license from the program and who violates any statute or regulation governing licensed nursing home administrators.

(b)  Any licensee served with a citation may contest the citation by appeal to the program within 30 days of service of the citation. Appeals shall be conducted pursuant to Section 100171.

(c)  In addition to requesting a hearing before an administrative law judge, the licensee may, within 10 days after service of the citation, notify the department in writing of his or her request for an informal conference with the department regarding the violations cited in the citation. At the time of requesting an informal conference, the licensee shall inform the department whether he or she shall be represented at the informal conference by legal counsel. Failure to notify the department of legal representation shall not result in forfeiture of the right to have legal counsel present. Unless the request for an informal hearing is made within the 10-day period, the licensee’s right to an informal hearing is deemed waived.

(d)  The department shall hold an informal conference with the licensee and, if applicable, his or her legal counsel or authorized representatives. At the conclusion of the informal conference the department may affirm, modify, or dismiss the citation, including any administrative fine levied, or order of abatement issued.

(e)  The licensee does not waive his or her request for a hearing to contest a citation by requesting an informal conference. If the citation is dismissed after the informal conference, the request for a hearing on the matter of the citation shall be deemed to be withdrawn. If the citation, including any administrative fine levied or order of abatement, is modified or affirmed, the citation shall be upheld and the licensee shall, within 15 working days from the date the citation review conference decision was rendered, notify the director or the director’s designee that he or she wishes to appeal the decision through the procedures set forth in Section 100171.

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