§16-5C-1. Purpose.

It is the policy of this state to encourage and promote the development and utilization of resources to ensure the effective and financially efficient care and treatment of persons who are convalescing or whose physical or mental condition requires them to receive a degree of nursing or related health care greater than that necessary for well individuals. Such care and treatment require a living environment for such persons which, to the extent practicable, will approximate a normal home environment. To this end, the guiding principle for administration of the laws of the state is that such persons shall be encouraged and assisted in securing necessary care and treatment in noninstitutional surroundings. In recognition that for many such persons effective care and treatment can only be secured from proprietary, voluntary and governmental nursing homes it is the policy of this state to encourage, promote and require the maintenance of nursing homes so as to ensure protection of the rights and dignity of those using the services of such facilities.

The provisions of this article are hereby declared to be remedial and shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes and intents.