Sec. 21799c.

(1) A person who violates 1 of the following sections is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not less than $1,000.00, nor more than $10,000.00, or both:

(a) Section 21711.

(b) Section 21712.

(c) Section 21763(5).

(d) Section 21765a(1) or (2).

(e) Section 21771(1) or (6).

(f) Section 21791.

(2) A person who violates section 21765a(1) or (2) is liable to an applicant or patient in a civil action for treble the amount of actual damages or $1,000.00, whichever is greater, together with costs and reasonable attorney fees.

(3) For the purpose of computing administrative penalties under this section, the number of patients per day is based on the average number of patients in the nursing home during the 30 days immediately preceding the discovery of the violation.

(4) If the department finds a violation of section 20201 as to a particular nursing home patient, the department shall issue an order requiring the nursing home to pay to the patient $100.00, or to reimburse the patient for costs incurred or injuries sustained as a result of the violation, whichever is greater. The department also shall assess the nursing home an administrative penalty that is the lesser of the following:

(a) Not more than $1,500.00.

(b) $15.00 per patient bed.

(5) The department of community health shall promulgate rules for a quality of care allowance formula that is consistent with the recommendations of the fiscal incentives subcommittee to the committee on nursing home reimbursement established pursuant to Act No. 241 of the Public Acts of 1975, as described in the November 24, 1975 interim report, in the December 3, 1975 final report, and the November 24, 1976 report of the committee recommending appropriate changes in the procedures utilized.

(6) The department shall not assess an administrative penalty under subsection (4) for a violation of this part for which a nursing home's reimbursement is withheld under subsection (5).

History: Add. 1978, Act 493, Eff. Mar. 30, 1979 ;-- Am. 1994, Act 73, Imd. Eff. Apr. 11, 1994 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 546, Eff. Mar. 31, 1997 Popular Name: Act 368