(a) The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) may deny an
initial license or refuse to renew a license if an applicant, or any person
required to submit background and qualification information:
(1) substantially fails to comply with the requirements described
in §92.41 of this title (relating to Standards for Type A and Type B
Assisted Living Facilities) including, but not limited to:
(A) noncompliance that posed or poses a serious threat to health
and safety, or
(B) a failure to maintain compliance on a continuous basis;
(2) aids, abets, or permits a substantial violation
described in paragraph (1) of this subsection about which the applicant, manager
or affiliate had or should have had knowledge;
(3) fails to provide the required information, facts and/or
references;
(4) provides the following false or fraudulent information:
(A) knowingly submits false or intentionally misleading statements
to DHS;
(B) uses subterfuge or other evasive means of filing;
(C) engages in subterfuge or other evasive means of filing
on behalf of another who is unqualified for licensure;
(D) knowingly conceals a material fact related to licensure;
or
(E) is responsible for fraud;
(5) fails to pay the following fees, taxes and assessments
when due:
(A) licensing fees as described in §92.18 of this title
(relating to License Fees); or
(B) franchise taxes, if applicable;
(6) discloses any of the following actions within
the two-year period preceding the application:
(A) operation of a facility that has been decertified and/or
had its contract canceled under the Medicare or Medicaid program in any state;
(B) federal or state long-term care facility, assisted living
facility or similar facility sanctions or penalties, including but not limited
to, monetary penalties, involuntary downgrading of the status of a facility
license, proposals to decertify, directed plans of correction or the denial
of payment for new Medicaid admissions;
(C) state or federal criminal convictions for any offense that
provides a penalty of incarceration;
(D) unsatisfied final judgments, excluding judgments wholly
unrelated to the provision of care rendered in long term care facilities;
(E) eviction involving any property or space used as a facility
in any state; or
(F) suspension of a license to operate a health care facility,
long-term care facility, assisted living facility, or a similar facility in
any state; and
(7) violates Texas Health and Safety Code §247.021.
(b) Concerning subsection (a)(6) of this section, DHS may consider
exculpatory information provided by the applicant, manager, or affiliate and
grant a license under subsection (a)(6) of this section if DHS finds the applicant,
license holder, manager, or affiliate able to comply with the rules of this
chapter.
(c) DHS will not issue a license to an applicant to operate
a new facility if the applicant discloses any of the following actions during
the two-year period preceding the application:
(1) revocation of a license to operate a health care facility,
long-term care facility, assisted living facility, or similar facility in
any state;
(2) debarment or exclusion from the Medicare or Medicaid
programs by the federal government or a state; or
(3) a court injunction prohibiting the applicant or manager
from operating a facility.
(d) Only final actions are considered for purposes of subsections
(a)(6) and (c) of this section. An action is final when routine administrative
and judicial remedies are exhausted. All actions, whether pending or final,
must be disclosed.
(e) If an applicant owns multiple facilities, the overall record
of compliance in all of the facilities will be examined. An overall record
poor enough to deny issuance of a new license will not preclude the renewal
of licenses of individual facilities with satisfactory records.
(f) If DHS denies a license or refuses to issue a renewal of
a license, the applicant or licensee may request an administrative hearing.
Administrative hearings are held under the provisions of the Administrative
Procedures Act (APA), Title 10 of the Texas Government Code, §§2001.051
et seq., and DHS's formal hearing rules under Chapter 79 of this title (relating
to Legal Services).
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Source Note: The provisions of this §92.17 adopted to be effective May 1, 1995, 20 TexReg 2629; amended to be effective August 1, 1998, 23 TexReg 7036; amended to be effective August 1, 2000, 25 TexReg 6361 |