Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 3, September 1, 2024
RELATES TO: KRS Chapter 13B, Chapter 216A
NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY:
KRS
216A.070(3) authorizes the
board to promulgate administrative regulations necessary for the proper
performance of its duties.
KRS
216A.070(1)(e) requires the
board to investigate a person engaging in a practice which violates the
provisions of KRS Chapter 216A. This administrative regulation establishes
procedures for the investigation of a complaint received by the board.
Section 1. Definitions.
(1) "Chairman" means the chairman or
vice-chairman of the board.
(2)
"Charge" means a specific allegation contained in a formal complaint, as
established in subsection (4) of this section, issued by the board alleging a
violation of a specified provision of KRS Chapter 216A or 201 KAR Chapter
6.
(3) "Complaint" means:
(a) A written allegation alleging misconduct
by a credentialed individual or other person which might constitute a violation
of KRS Chapter 216A, 201 KAR Chapter 6, or another state or federal statute or
administrative regulation;
(b) A
notification which relates to the credential of the individual pursuant to KRS
Chapter 216A; or
(c) A Notification
of Substandard Care issued by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, as
defined in
42
C.F.R. 488.301.
(4) "Formal complaint" means a formal
administrative pleading authorized by the board which sets forth charges
against a licensed individual or other person and commences a formal
disciplinary proceeding pursuant to KRS Chapter 13B or requests the court to
take criminal action.
(5) "Informal
proceeding" means a proceeding instituted during the disciplinary process with
the intent of reaching a dispensation of a matter without further recourse to
formal disciplinary procedures under KRS Chapter 13B.
(6) "Investigator" means an individual
designated by the board to assist the board in the investigation of a complaint
or an investigator employed by the Attorney General or the board.
(7) "Standards of practice committee" means
the committee appointed pursuant to Section 7 of this administrative
regulation.
Section 2.
Receipt of Complaints.
(1) A complaint may be
submitted by an individual, organization, or entity. A complaint shall be in
writing and shall be signed by the person offering the complaint. The board may
file a complaint or a formal complaint based on information in its
possession.
(2)
(a) Upon receipt of a complaint against a
licensee, a copy of the complaint shall be sent to the licensee named in the
complaint along with a request for that licensee's response to the
complaint.
(b) The licensee shall
file a response to the complaint within twenty (20) days from the date the
letter was mailed as signified by the date on the letter.
(3) Upon receipt of a notification of
substandard care, a copy of the notification shall be sent to the licensee
administering the facility at issue along with a letter from the board
requesting the following information:
(a) The
effective date of that administrator becoming the administrator of record for
the facility. If that has occurred within the last 180 days, the facility shall
furnish the name of the previous administrator;
(b) A copy of completed and approved 2567L
and notice of acceptance of allegation of compliance as issued by the Cabinet
for Health and Family Services;
(c)
A copy of notice of results of revisit as issued by the Cabinet for Health and
Family Services; and
(d) A formal
notice of each remedy imposed by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, if
applicable.
(4) A
licensee shall provide the documentation listed in subsection (3) of this
section if a request is made by the board pursuant to that provision.
Section 3. Initial Review.
(1) After the receipt of a complaint and the
expiration of the period for the licensee's response, the standards of practice
committee shall consider the complaint, the licensee's response, and other
relevant material available and make a recommendation to the board regarding
whether an investigation of the complaint is required.
(2) If, in the opinion of the board, a
complaint does not warrant a formal investigation, the board shall dismiss the
complaint.
(3)
(a) If, in the opinion of the board, a
complaint warrants a formal investigation against either a licensed individual
or a person who may be practicing without appropriate credential, the board
shall authorize an investigator to investigate the matter and make a report to
the standards of practice committee.
(b) If, at any time, the board determines
that it has enough information, it may file a formal complaint pursuant to
Section 4 of this administrative regulation.
Section 4. Results of Formal Investigation;
Board Decision on Hearing.
(1)
(a) Upon completion of the formal
investigation, the investigator shall submit a report to the standards of
practice committee of the facts regarding the complaint.
(b) The committee shall review the
investigative report and make a recommendation to the board.
(c) The board shall determine whether there
is enough evidence to believe that a violation of KRS Chapter 216A or 201 KAR
Chapter 6 may have occurred and whether a complaint shall be filed.
(2) If, in the opinion of the
board, a complaint does not warrant the issuance of a formal complaint and the
holding of a hearing, the complaint shall be dismissed or referred to another
agency for action. The board shall notify both the complaining party and the
individual of the outcome of the complaint.
(3) If, in the opinion of the board, a
complaint warrants the issuance of a formal complaint against a licensee, the
standards of practice committee shall authorize a formal complaint which states
the charge or charges to be considered at the hearing. The formal complaint
shall be approved by the board and served upon the individual as required by
KRS
13B.050.
(4) If, in the opinion of the board, probable
cause exists that an individual is guilty of practicing without appropriate
credential, it may:
(a) Issue a letter
ordering that person to cease and desist from the unlicensed practice of
long-term care administration;
(b)
Forward information to the county attorney of the county of residence of the
person allegedly practicing without appropriate credential with a request that
appropriate action be taken under
KRS 216A.150 and
216A.990; or
(c) Initiate action in Franklin Circuit Court
for injunctive relief to stop the unauthorized practice of long-term care
administration.
Section
5. Settlement by Informal Proceedings. The board may at any time
enter into a settlement agreement or agreed order with the individual who is
the subject of the complaint for the purpose of appropriately dispensing with
the matter.
(1) An agreed order or settlement
agreement shall only be effective after being approved by the board and signed
by the individual who is the subject of the complaint and the
chairman.
(2) The board may employ
mediation as a method of resolving the matter informally.
Section 6. Notice and Service Process. A
notice required by KRS Chapter 216A or this administrative regulation shall be
issued pursuant to
KRS
13B.050.
Section 7. Standards of Practice Committee.
The standards of practice committee shall:
(1) Be appointed by the chairman of the
board; and
(2) Consist of two (2)
or three (3) board members.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
KRS
216A.070(3)