(a) The Commissioner of Public Health may suspend the requirements for licensure to authorize a licensed chronic and convalescent nursing home to provide services to patients with a reportable disease, emergency illness or health condition, pursuant to § 19a-91, under their existing license if such licensed chronic and convalescent nursing home (1) provides services to such patients in a building that is not physically connected to its licensed facility, or (2) expands its bed capacity in a portion of a facility that is separate from the licensed facility. Such services may only be provided in order to render temporary assistance in managing a public health emergency in this state, declared by the Governor pursuant to § 19a-131a.

(b) Each chronic and convalescent nursing home that intends to provide services pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall submit an application to the Department of Public Health in a form and manner prescribed by the commissioner. Such application shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) Information regarding the facility’s ability to sufficiently address the health, safety or welfare of such chronic and convalescent nursing home’s residents and staff; (2) the address of such facility; (3) an attestation that all equipment located at such facility is maintained according to the manufacturers’ specifications, and is capable of meeting the needs of such facility’s residents; (4) information regarding such facility’s maximum bed capacity; and (5) information indicating that such facility is in compliance with any provisions of the general statutes or regulations of Connecticut state agencies pertaining to the operation of such facility.

(c) Upon receipt of an application pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Department of Public Health shall conduct a scheduled inspection and investigation of the applicant’s facilities to ensure compliance with any provisions of the general statutes or regulations of Connecticut state agencies pertaining to the licensing of such facilities. After conducting such inspection and investigation, the department shall notify the applicant of the department’s approval or denial of such application.