The department shall adopt necessary regulations to implement Alaska Stat. § 18.20.300 – 18.20.390 in accordance with Alaska Stat. Chapter 44.62 (Administrative Procedure Act). The department shall, by regulation, specify criteria as to when and how the sanctions specified in Alaska Stat. § 18.20.310 will be applied. The criteria must provide for the imposition of incrementally more severe penalties for deficiencies that are uncorrected or pervasive, or that present a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of nursing facility residents.