(a) If the director determines that it is necessary to temporarily suspend any license or special permit of a community care facility in order to protect the residents or clients of the facility from physical or mental abuse, abandonment, or any other substantial threat to health or safety, the department shall make every effort to minimize transfer trauma for the residents or clients.

(b) The department shall contact any local agency that may have assessment, placement, protective, or advocacy responsibility for the residents or clients of a facility after a decision is made to temporarily suspend the license or special permit of the facility and prior to its implementation. The department shall work together with these agencies and the licensee, if the director determines it to be appropriate, to locate alternative placement sites, and to contact relatives or other persons responsible for the care of these residents or clients, provide onsite evaluation of the residents or clients, and assist in the transfer of the residents or clients.

(c) In any case where the department alleges that a client or resident has a health condition or health conditions which cannot be cared for within the limits of the license or special permit, or requires inpatient care in a health facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250), the department shall do all of the following:

(1) Consult with appropriate medical personnel about when the client or resident should be removed from the facility and how transfer trauma can be minimized.

(2) If the department temporarily suspends the license or special permit of a facility, use medical personnel deemed appropriate by the department to provide onsite evaluation of the clients or residents.

(3) If the department does not suspend the license or special permit of a facility, order the licensee to remove only those clients or residents who have health conditions which cannot be cared for within the limits of the license or special permit or require inpatient care in a health facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250), as determined by the department, if the department determines that other clients or residents are not in physical danger.

(d) In any case where the department orders the temporary suspension of a licensee or orders the licensee, or holder of a special permit, to remove a client or resident who has a health condition or health conditions which cannot be cared for within the limits of the license or special permit or requires inpatient care in a health facility licensed pursuant to Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 1250), the department may require the licensee or holder of a special permit to do all of the following:

(1) Prepare and submit to the department a written plan for the safe and orderly relocation of the client or resident, in a form acceptable to the department.

(2) Comply with all terms and conditions of the approved relocation plan.

(3) Provide any other information as may be required by the department for the proper administration and enforcement of this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 29, Sec. 16. (SB 855) Effective June 20, 2014.)