(a) The secretary and any duly designated employee or agent thereof will have the right to enter upon and into the premises of any assisted living residence at any time for which a license has been issued, for which an application for license has been filed with the secretary, or which the secretary has reason to believe is being operated or maintained as an assisted living residence without a license. If entry is refused by the owner or person in charge of the assisted living residence, the secretary will apply to the circuit court of the county in which the assisted living residence is located or the Circuit Court of Kanawha County for an administrative inspection warrant.

(b) The secretary, by the secretary’s authorized employees or agents, will conduct at least one inspection prior to issuance of a license pursuant to §16-5D-6 of this code and will conduct periodic unannounced inspections thereafter to determine compliance by the assisted living residence with applicable statutes and rules promulgated thereunder. All assisted living residences shall comply with rules of the State Fire Commission. The State Fire Marshal, by his or her employees or authorized agents, shall make all fire, safety, and like inspections. The secretary may provide for such other inspections as the secretary may deem necessary to carry out the intent and purpose of this article. If after investigating a complaint the secretary determines that the complaint is substantiated and that an immediate and serious threat to a resident’s health or safety exists, the secretary may invoke any remedies available pursuant to §16-5D-11 and §16-5D-12 of this code. Any assisted living residence aggrieved by a determination or assessment made pursuant to this section shall have the right to an administrative appeal as set forth in §16-5D-12 of this code.