§16-5C-12. License denial, limitation, suspension, or revocation.

(a)  The secretary shall deny, limit, suspend, or revoke a license issued if the provisions of this article or if the rules promulgated pursuant to this article are violated. The secretary may revoke a nursing home’s license and prohibit all physicians and licensed disciplines associated with that nursing home from practicing at the nursing home location based upon an annual, periodic, complaint, verification, or other inspection and evaluation.

(b)  Before any such license is denied, limited, suspended, or revoked, however, written notice shall be given to the licensee, stating the grounds for such denial, limitation, suspension, or revocation.

(c)  An applicant or licensee has 10 working days after receipt of the order denying, limiting, suspending, or revoking a license to request a formal hearing contesting the denial, limitation, suspension, or revocation of a license under this article. If a formal hearing is requested, the applicant or licensee and the secretary shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of §29A-5-1 et seq. of this code.

(d)  If a license is denied or revoked as herein provided, a new application for license shall be considered by the secretary if, when, and after the conditions upon which the denial or revocation was based have been corrected and evidence of this fact has been furnished. A new license shall then be granted after proper inspection, if applicable, has been made and all provisions of this article and rules promulgated pursuant to this article have been satisfied.

(e) If the license of a nursing home is denied, limited, suspended, or revoked, the administrator or owner or lessor of the nursing home property shall cease to operate the facility as a nursing home as of the effective date of the denial, limitation, suspension, or revocation. The owner or lessor of the nursing home property is responsible for removing all signs and symbols identifying the premises as a nursing home within 30 days. Any administrative appeal of such denial, limitation, suspension, or revocation shall not stay the denial, limitation, suspension, or revocation.

(f) Upon the effective date of the denial, limitation, suspension, or revocation, the administrator of the nursing home shall advise the secretary and the Board of Pharmacy of the disposition of all medications located on the premises. The disposition is subject to the supervision and approval of the secretary. Medications that are purchased or held by a nursing home that is not licensed may be deemed adulterated.

(g) The period of suspension for the license of a nursing home shall be prescribed by the secretary but may not exceed one year.