§ 23-17-5.1. Additional information required of nursing facility applicants for initial licensure or change of ownership. (a) The department shall adopt regulations regarding information to be provided by applicants for the initial licensure of or change of ownership of a nursing facility to include information relating to the background and qualifications of the applicant or proposed license holder. For purposes of this section, applicants must meet a financial threshold that shall include, as a minimum, that the applicant or proposed license holder shall have sufficient resources to operate the nursing facility at licensed capacity for thirty (30) days, evidenced by an unencumbered line of credit, a joint escrow account established with the department, or a performance bond secured in favor of the state or a similar form of security satisfactory to the department. The department may also require background information to be submitted relating to any partner, officer, director, manager or member (if member-managed) of the applicant or proposed license holder, or information relating to each person having a beneficial ownership interest of five percent (5%) or more in the applicant or proposed license holder.

(b) In reviewing information required by subsection (a), the department may require the applicant or proposed license holder to file a sworn affidavit substantiating the validity of any submitted information as required by the department to substantiate a satisfactory compliance history relating to each state or other jurisdiction in which the applicant, proposed license holder or any other person described by subsection (a) operated a nursing facility at any time during the five-year period preceding the date on which the application is made. The department shall determine what constitutes a satisfactory compliance history. The department may also require the applicant or proposed license holder to file information relating to the current financial condition of the applicant, proposed license holder or any other person described by subsection (a) and the history of the financial condition of the applicant, proposed license holder or any other person described by subsection (a) with respect to a facility operated in another state or jurisdiction at any time during the five-year period preceding the date on which the application is made.

(c) In addition to the information required to be provided in subsections (a) and (b) above, the department shall gather information from state departments and agencies relating to the background and qualifications of the applicant, proposed license holder, or any person having a five percent (5%) or more beneficial ownership interest.

(d) Any applicant seeking a nursing facility license who intends to contract with a management company to assist with that facility's operations shall file a copy of the proposed management contract with the department or provide information to the department regarding the management services to be provided by the management company that indicate the management fees to be paid and areas of control for which the management company shall be responsible. All applications for initial licensure and change of ownership shall include copies of any proposed management contracts and information about management fee arrangements as well as identification of every person having an ownership of five percent (5%) or more in the management company, if the management company is a corporation or limited liability company, and identification of every general or limited partner if the management company is a general partnership or a limited partnership.

History of Section. (P.L. 2005, ch. 158, § 4; P.L. 2005, ch. 247, § 4.)