§16B-6-5. Inspections; right of entry.

The director may employ inspectors to enforce the provisions of this article. These inspectors shall have the right of entry into any place where services are provided by a service provider, to determine the number of residents therein, and the adequacy of services being provided to them. The director may obtain a search warrant to inspect those premises that the director has reason to believe are being used to provide services. The inspectors shall have access to all parts of the home and grounds, including, but not limited to, all areas of all buildings on the grounds of a home, food supplies, resident medications, and resident medical records. Inspectors shall also be permitted to conduct private interviews with all residents and staff of a home.

If after investigating a complaint, the director determines that the complaint is substantiated and that an immediate and serious threat to a resident's health or safety exists, the director may petition the circuit court for an injunction, order of abatement or other appropriate action or proceeding to: (1) Close the home; (2) transfer residents in the home to other facilities; or (3) appoint temporary management to oversee the operation of the home to assure the health, safety, welfare, and rights of the home's residents where there is a need for temporary management to ensure compliance with the court's order. Any home aggrieved by a determination or assessment made pursuant to this section shall have the right to an administrative appeal as set forth in §16B-4-12 of this code.