(a) Any nursing facility as defined in 42 U.S.C. § 1396r(a) shall comply with all requirements regarding such facilities contained in Title XIX of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. § 1396 et seq.] and in any federal regulation issued pursuant thereto.

(b) For any violation of subsection (a) of this section, a nursing facility shall be subject to 1 or more of the following remedies:

(1) Denial of payment with respect to any recipient under the state Medicaid program admitted to the nursing facility, with notice to the public and the facility as provided for by regulations promulgated by the Department.

(2) A civil fine between 2 percent to 100 percent of a facility’s current per diem rate, which shall be collected with interest at the legal rate of interest, for each day in which a facility fails to comply with a requirement constituting a separate violation. Funds collected as a result of imposition of such a penalty shall be applied to the protection of the health or property of residents of the nursing facility found to have been in violation, including payment for the costs of relocation of residents to other facilities, maintenance of operation of a facility pending correction of deficiencies or closure, and reimbursement of residents for personal funds lost.

(3) The appointment, pursuant to regulations adopted by the Department, of temporary management to oversee the operation of the facility and to assure the health and safety of the facility’s residents.

(4) In the case of an emergency, the closure of the facility, the transfer of residents in that facility or other facilities, or both.

(c) In the case of a nursing facility which, on 3 consecutive standard surveys conducted pursuant to the rules or regulations promulgated by the Department, has been found to have provided substandard quality of care or has otherwise failed to comply with the requirement imposed pursuant to subsection (a) or (e) of this section, the Department shall (regardless of what other remedies are provided):

(1) Impose the remedy described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section; and

(2) Monitor the facility pursuant to regulations promulgated by the Department, until the facility has demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the Department, that the facility is in compliance with the requirements imposed pursuant to subsection (a) or (e) of this section, and that the facility will remain in compliance with such requirements.

(d) If a nursing facility has failed to comply with any of the requirements pursuant to subsection (a) or (e) of this section, within 3 months after the date the facility is found to be out of compliance with such requirements, the Department shall impose the remedy described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section for all individuals who are admitted to the facility after such date.

(e) The Department may establish and promulgate such rules and regulations governing the administration and operation of this section as may be deemed necessary and which are not inconsistent with the laws of this State.

(f) The Secretary of the Department or the Secretary’s designee shall have jurisdiction to hear any matter arising under subsections (a) and (e) of this section and shall have the power to impose any remedy listed under subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section. Any party who is not satisfied with a decision of the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee may appeal to the Superior Court for the county in which the facility is located. Such appeal must be filed within 30 days from the date of the Secretary’s or the Secretary’s designee’s decision and must be on the record made before the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee.

(g) This section is intended to be applicable solely to nursing facilities as defined by 42 U.S.C. § 1396r(a) and shall not alter, amend, repeal, restrict or otherwise affect any existing Medicaid appeals procedures established by the Department.

67 Del. Laws, c. 79, § ?1; 70 Del. Laws, c. 149, §§ ?105, 106; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § ?1; 71 Del. Laws, c. 466, § ?1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 206, § 43;