| 1 | A bill to be entitled |
| 2 | An act relating to continuing care retirement communities; |
| 3 | providing for the provision of continuing care at-home; |
| 4 | amending s. 651.011, F.S.; revising definitions; defining |
| 5 | "continuing care at-home," "nursing care," "personal |
| 6 | services," and "shelter"; amending s. 651.012, F.S.; |
| 7 | conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 651.013, F.S.; |
| 8 | conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending |
| 9 | s. 651.021, F.S., relating to the requirement for |
| 10 | certificates of authority; requiring that a person in the |
| 11 | business of issuing continuing care at-home contracts |
| 12 | obtain a certificate of authority from the Office of |
| 13 | Insurance Regulation; requiring written approval from the |
| 14 | Office of Insurance Regulation for a 20 percent or more |
| 15 | expansion in the number of continuing care at-home |
| 16 | contracts; providing that an actuarial study may be |
| 17 | substituted for a feasibility study in specified |
| 18 | circumstances; amending s. 651.022, F.S., relating to |
| 19 | provisional certificates of authority; conforming |
| 20 | provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. |
| 21 | 651.023, F.S., relating to an application for a |
| 22 | certificate of authority; specifying the content of the |
| 23 | feasibility study that is included in the application for |
| 24 | a certificate; requiring the same minimum reservation |
| 25 | requirements for continuing care at-home contracts as |
| 26 | continuing care contracts; requiring that a certain amount |
| 27 | of the entrance fee collected for contracts resulting from |
| 28 | an expansion be placed in an escrow account or on deposit |
| 29 | with the department; amending ss. 651.033, 651.035, and |
| 30 | 651.055, F.S.; requiring a facility to provide proof of |
| 31 | compliance with a residency contract; conforming |
| 32 | provisions to changes made by the act; creating s. |
| 33 | 651.057, F.S.; providing additional requirements for |
| 34 | continuing care at-home contracts; requiring that a |
| 35 | provider who wishes to offer continuing care at-home |
| 36 | contracts submit certain additional documents to the |
| 37 | office; requiring that the provider comply with certain |
| 38 | requirements; limiting the number of continuing care and |
| 39 | continuing care at-home contracts at a facility based on |
| 40 | the types of units at the facility; amending ss. 651.071, |
| 41 | 651.091, 651.106, 651.114, 651.118, 651.121, and 651.125, |
| 42 | F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; |
| 43 | providing an effective date. |
| 44 |
|
| 45 | Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: |
| 46 |
|
| 47 | Section 1. Section 651.011, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 48 | to read: |
| 49 | 651.011 Definitions.-As used in For the purposes of this |
| 50 | chapter, the term: |
| 51 | (1) "Advertising" means the dissemination of written, |
| 52 | visual, or electronic information by a provider, or any person |
| 53 | affiliated with or controlled by a provider, to potential |
| 54 | residents or their representatives for the purpose of inducing |
| 55 | such persons to subscribe to or enter into a contract for |
| 56 | continuing care or continuing care at-home to reside in a |
| 57 | continuing care community that is subject to this chapter. |
| 58 | (2) "Continuing care" or "care" means, pursuant to a |
| 59 | contract, furnishing shelter and nursing care or personal |
| 60 | services to a resident who resides in a facility as defined in |
| 61 | s. 429.02, whether such nursing care or personal services are |
| 62 | provided in the facility or in another setting designated in by |
| 63 | the contract for continuing care, by to an individual not |
| 64 | related by consanguinity or affinity to the resident provider |
| 65 | furnishing such care, upon payment of an entrance fee. Other |
| 66 | personal services provided must be designated in the continuing |
| 67 | care contract. Contracts to provide continuing care include |
| 68 | agreements to provide care for any duration, including contracts |
| 69 | that are terminable by either party. |
| 70 | (3) "Continuing Care Advisory Council" or "advisory |
| 71 | council" means the council established in s. 651.121. |
| 72 | (4) "Continuing care at-home" means, pursuant to a |
| 73 | contract other than a contract described in subsection (2), |
| 74 | furnishing to a resident who resides outside the facility the |
| 75 | right to future access to shelter and nursing care or personal |
| 76 | services, whether such services are provided in the facility or |
| 77 | in another setting designated in the contract, by an individual |
| 78 | not related by consanguinity or affinity to the resident, upon |
| 79 | payment of an entrance fee. |
| 80 | (5)(4) "Entrance fee" means an initial or deferred payment |
| 81 | of a sum of money or property made as full or partial payment |
| 82 | for continuing care or continuing care at-home to assure the |
| 83 | resident a place in a facility. An accommodation fee, admission |
| 84 | fee, member fee, or other fee of similar form and application |
| 85 | are considered to be an entrance fee. |
| 86 | (6)(5) "Facility" means a place where that provides |
| 87 | continuing care is furnished and may include one or more |
| 88 | physical plants on a primary or contiguous site or an |
| 89 | immediately accessible site. As used in this subsection, the |
| 90 | term "immediately accessible site" means a parcel of real |
| 91 | property separated by a reasonable distance from the facility as |
| 92 | measured along public thoroughfares, and the term "primary or |
| 93 | contiguous site" means the real property contemplated in the |
| 94 | feasibility study required by this chapter. |
| 95 | (7)(6) "Generally accepted accounting principles" means |
| 96 | those accounting principles and practices adopted by the |
| 97 | Financial Accounting Standards Board and the American Institute |
| 98 | of Certified Public Accountants, including Statement of Position |
| 99 | 90-8 with respect to any full year to which the statement |
| 100 | applies. |
| 101 | (8)(7) "Insolvency" means the condition in which the |
| 102 | provider is unable to pay its obligations as they come due in |
| 103 | the normal course of business. |
| 104 | (9)(8) "Licensed" means that the provider has obtained a |
| 105 | certificate of authority from the department. |
| 106 | (10) "Nursing care" means those services or acts rendered |
| 107 | to a resident by an individual licensed or certified pursuant to |
| 108 | chapter 464. |
| 109 | (11) "Personal services" has the same meaning as in s. |
| 110 | 429.02. |
| 111 | (12)(9) "Provider" means the owner or operator, whether a |
| 112 | natural person, partnership or other unincorporated association, |
| 113 | however organized, trust, or corporation, of an institution, |
| 114 | building, residence, or other place, whether operated for profit |
| 115 | or not, which owner or operator provides continuing care or |
| 116 | continuing care at-home for a fixed or variable fee, or for any |
| 117 | other remuneration of any type, whether fixed or variable, for |
| 118 | the period of care, payable in a lump sum or lump sum and |
| 119 | monthly maintenance charges or in installments. The term, but |
| 120 | does not apply to mean an entity that has existed and |
| 121 | continuously operated a facility located on at least 63 acres in |
| 122 | this state providing residential lodging to members and their |
| 123 | spouses for at least 66 years on or before July 1, 1989, and has |
| 124 | the residential capacity of 500 persons, is directly or |
| 125 | indirectly owned or operated by a nationally recognized |
| 126 | fraternal organization, is not open to the public, and accepts |
| 127 | only its members and their spouses as residents. |
| 128 | (13)(10) "Records" means the permanent financial, |
| 129 | directory, and personnel information and data maintained by a |
| 130 | provider pursuant to this chapter. |
| 131 | (14)(11) "Resident" means a purchaser of, a nominee of, or |
| 132 | a subscriber to a continuing care or continuing care at-home |
| 133 | contract agreement. Such contract agreement does not give the |
| 134 | resident a part ownership of the facility in which the resident |
| 135 | is to reside, unless expressly provided for in the contract |
| 136 | agreement. |
| 137 | (15) "Shelter" means an independent living unit, room, |
| 138 | apartment, cottage, villa, personal care unit, nursing bed, or |
| 139 | other living area within a facility set aside for the exclusive |
| 140 | use of one or more identified residents. |
| 141 | Section 2. Section 651.012, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 142 | to read: |
| 143 | 651.012 Exempted facility; written disclosure of |
| 144 | exemption.-Any facility exempted under ss. 632.637(1)(e) and |
| 145 | 651.011(12)(9) must provide written disclosure of such exemption |
| 146 | to each person admitted to the facility after October 1, 1996. |
| 147 | This disclosure must be written using language likely to be |
| 148 | understood by the person and must briefly explain the exemption. |
| 149 | Section 3. Section 651.013, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 150 | to read: |
| 151 | 651.013 Chapter exclusive; applicability of other laws.- |
| 152 | (1) Except as herein provided, providers of continuing |
| 153 | care and continuing care at-home are shall be governed by the |
| 154 | provisions of this chapter and are shall be exempt from all |
| 155 | other provisions of the Florida Insurance Code. |
| 156 | (2) In addition to other applicable provisions cited in |
| 157 | this chapter, the office has the authority granted under ss. |
| 158 | 624.302 and 624.303, 624.308-624.312, 624.319(1)-(3), 624.320- |
| 159 | 624.321, 624.324, and 624.34 of the Florida Insurance Code to |
| 160 | regulate providers of continuing care and continuing care at- |
| 161 | home. |
| 162 | Section 4. Section 651.021, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 163 | to read: |
| 164 | 651.021 Certificate of authority required.- |
| 165 | (1) No person may engage in the business of providing |
| 166 | continuing care, or issuing contracts for continuing care or |
| 167 | continuing care at-home, or constructing agreements or construct |
| 168 | a facility for the purpose of providing continuing care in this |
| 169 | state without a certificate of authority therefor obtained from |
| 170 | the office as provided in this chapter. This subsection does |
| 171 | shall not be construed to prohibit the preparation of a the |
| 172 | construction site or construction of a model residence unit for |
| 173 | marketing purposes, or both. The office may allow the purchase |
| 174 | of an existing building for the purpose of providing continuing |
| 175 | care if the office determines that the purchase is not being |
| 176 | made to circumvent for the purpose of circumventing the |
| 177 | prohibitions contained in this section. |
| 178 | (2)(a) Written approval must be obtained from the office |
| 179 | before commencing commencement of construction or marketing for |
| 180 | an any expansion of a certificated facility equivalent to the |
| 181 | addition of at least 20 percent of existing units or 20 percent |
| 182 | or more in the number of continuing care at-home contracts, |
| 183 | written approval must be obtained from the office. This |
| 184 | provision does not apply to construction for which a certificate |
| 185 | of need from the Agency for Health Care Administration is |
| 186 | required. |
| 187 | (a) For providers that offer both continuing care and |
| 188 | continuing care at-home, the 20 percent is based on the total of |
| 189 | both existing units and existing contracts for continuing care |
| 190 | at-home. For purposes of this subsection, an expansion includes |
| 191 | increases in the number of constructed units or continuing care |
| 192 | at-home contracts or a combination of both. |
| 193 | (b) The application for such approval shall be on forms |
| 194 | adopted by the commission and provided by the office. The |
| 195 | application must shall include the feasibility study required by |
| 196 | s. 651.022(3) or s. 651.023(1)(b) and such other information as |
| 197 | required by s. 651.023. If the expansion is only for continuing |
| 198 | care at-home contracts, an actuarial study prepared by an |
| 199 | independent actuary in accordance with standards adopted by the |
| 200 | American Academy of Actuaries which presents the financial |
| 201 | impact of the expansion may be substituted for the feasibility |
| 202 | study. |
| 203 | (c) In determining whether an expansion should be |
| 204 | approved, the office shall use utilize the criteria provided in |
| 205 | ss. 651.022(6) and 651.023(4)(2). |
| 206 | Section 5. Paragraphs (d) and (g) of subsection (2) and |
| 207 | subsections (4) and (6) of section 651.022, Florida Statutes, |
| 208 | are amended to read: |
| 209 | 651.022 Provisional certificate of authority; |
| 210 | application.- |
| 211 | (2) The application for a provisional certificate of |
| 212 | authority shall be on a form prescribed by the commission and |
| 213 | shall contain the following information: |
| 214 | (d) The contracts agreements for continuing care and |
| 215 | continuing care at-home to be entered into between the provider |
| 216 | and residents which meet the minimum requirements of s. 651.055 |
| 217 | or s. 651.057 and which include a statement describing the |
| 218 | procedures required by law relating to the release of escrowed |
| 219 | entrance fees. Such statement may be furnished through an |
| 220 | addendum. |
| 221 | (g) The forms of the continuing care residency contracts, |
| 222 | reservation contracts, escrow agreements, and wait list |
| 223 | contracts, if applicable, which are proposed to be used by the |
| 224 | provider in the furnishing of care. If The office shall approve |
| 225 | finds that the continuing care contracts and escrow agreements |
| 226 | that comply with ss. 651.023(1)(c), 651.033, and 651.055, and |
| 227 | 651.057 it shall approve them. Thereafter, no other form of |
| 228 | contract or agreement may be used by the provider until it has |
| 229 | been submitted to the office and approved. |
| 230 | (4) If an applicant has or proposes to have more than one |
| 231 | facility offering continuing care or continuing care at-home, a |
| 232 | separate provisional certificate of authority and a separate |
| 233 | certificate of authority must shall be obtained for each |
| 234 | facility. |
| 235 | (6) Within 45 days after from the date an application is |
| 236 | deemed to be complete, as set forth in paragraph (5)(b), the |
| 237 | office shall complete its review and shall issue a provisional |
| 238 | certificate of authority to the applicant based upon its review |
| 239 | and a determination that the application meets all requirements |
| 240 | of law, and that the feasibility study was based on sufficient |
| 241 | data and reasonable assumptions, and that the applicant will be |
| 242 | able to provide continuing care or continuing care at-home as |
| 243 | proposed and meet all financial obligations related to its |
| 244 | operations, including the financial requirements of this chapter |
| 245 | to provide continuing care as proposed. If the application is |
| 246 | denied, the office shall notify the applicant in writing, citing |
| 247 | the specific failures to meet the provisions of this chapter. |
| 248 | Such denial entitles shall entitle the applicant to a hearing |
| 249 | pursuant to the provisions of chapter 120. |
| 250 | Section 6. Section 651.023, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 251 | to read: |
| 252 | 651.023 Certificate of authority; application.- |
| 253 | (1) After issuance of a provisional certificate of |
| 254 | authority, the office shall issue to the holder of such |
| 255 | provisional certificate of authority a certificate of authority |
| 256 | if; provided, however, that no certificate of authority shall be |
| 257 | issued until the holder of the such provisional certificate of |
| 258 | authority provides the office with the following information: |
| 259 | (a) Any material change in status with respect to the |
| 260 | information required to be filed under s. 651.022(2) in the |
| 261 | application for the a provisional certificate of authority. |
| 262 | (b) A feasibility study prepared by an independent |
| 263 | consultant which contains all of the information required by s. |
| 264 | 651.022(3) and contains financial forecasts or projections |
| 265 | prepared in accordance with standards adopted promulgated by the |
| 266 | American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or financial |
| 267 | forecasts or projections prepared in accordance with standards |
| 268 | for feasibility studies or continuing care retirement |
| 269 | communities adopted promulgated by the Actuarial Standards |
| 270 | Board. |
| 271 | 1. The study must also contain an independent evaluation |
| 272 | and examination opinion, or a comparable opinion acceptable to |
| 273 | the office, by the consultant who prepared the study, of the |
| 274 | underlying assumptions used as a basis for the forecasts or |
| 275 | projections in the study and that the assumptions are reasonable |
| 276 | and proper and that the project as proposed is feasible. |
| 277 | 2. The study must shall take into account project costs, |
| 278 | actual marketing results to date and marketing projections, |
| 279 | resident fees and charges, competition, resident contract |
| 280 | provisions, and any other factors which affect the feasibility |
| 281 | of operating the facility. |
| 282 | 3. If the study is prepared by an independent certified |
| 283 | public accountant, it must contain an examination opinion for |
| 284 | the first 3 years of operations and financial projections having |
| 285 | a compilation opinion for the next 3 years. If the study is |
| 286 | prepared by an independent consulting actuary, it must contain |
| 287 | mortality and morbidity data and an actuary's signed opinion |
| 288 | that the project as proposed is feasible and that the study has |
| 289 | been prepared in accordance with standards adopted by the |
| 290 | American Academy of Actuaries. |
| 291 | (c) Subject to the requirements of subsection (4) (2), a |
| 292 | provider may submit an application for a certificate of |
| 293 | authority and any required exhibits upon submission of proof |
| 294 | that the project has a minimum of 30 percent of the units |
| 295 | reserved for which the provider is charging an entrance fee.; |
| 296 | however, This does provision shall not apply to an application |
| 297 | for a certificate of authority for the acquisition of a facility |
| 298 | for which a certificate of authority was issued before prior to |
| 299 | October 1, 1983, to a provider who subsequently becomes a debtor |
| 300 | in a case under the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss. |
| 301 | 101 et seq., or to a provider for which the department has been |
| 302 | appointed receiver pursuant to the provisions of part II of |
| 303 | chapter 631. |
| 304 | (d) Proof that commitments have been secured for both |
| 305 | construction financing and long-term financing or a documented |
| 306 | plan acceptable to the office has been adopted by the applicant |
| 307 | for long-term financing. |
| 308 | (e) Proof that all conditions of the lender have been |
| 309 | satisfied to activate the commitment to disburse funds other |
| 310 | than the obtaining of the certificate of authority, the |
| 311 | completion of construction, or the closing of the purchase of |
| 312 | realty or buildings for the facility. |
| 313 | (f) Proof that the aggregate amount of entrance fees |
| 314 | received by or pledged to the applicant, plus anticipated |
| 315 | proceeds from any long-term financing commitment, plus funds |
| 316 | from all other sources in the actual possession of the |
| 317 | applicant, equal at least not less than 100 percent of the |
| 318 | aggregate cost of constructing or purchasing, equipping, and |
| 319 | furnishing the facility plus 100 percent of the anticipated |
| 320 | startup losses of the facility. |
| 321 | (g) Complete audited financial statements of the |
| 322 | applicant, prepared by an independent certified public |
| 323 | accountant in accordance with generally accepted accounting |
| 324 | principles, as of the date the applicant commenced business |
| 325 | operations or for the fiscal year that ended immediately |
| 326 | preceding the date of application, whichever is later, and |
| 327 | complete unaudited quarterly financial statements attested to by |
| 328 | the applicant after subsequent to the date of the last audit. |
| 329 | (h) Proof that the applicant has complied with the escrow |
| 330 | requirements of subsection (5) (3) or subsection (7) (5) and |
| 331 | will be able to comply with s. 651.035. |
| 332 | (i) Such other reasonable data, financial statements, and |
| 333 | pertinent information as the commission or office may require |
| 334 | with respect to the applicant or the facility, to determine the |
| 335 | financial status of the facility and the management capabilities |
| 336 | of its managers and owners. |
| 337 | (2)(j) Within 30 days after of the receipt of the |
| 338 | information required under subsection (1) paragraphs (a)-(h), |
| 339 | the office shall examine such information and shall notify the |
| 340 | provider in writing, specifically requesting any additional |
| 341 | information the office is permitted by law to require. Within 15 |
| 342 | days after receipt of all of the requested additional |
| 343 | information, the office shall notify the provider in writing |
| 344 | that all of the requested information has been received and the |
| 345 | application is deemed to be complete as of the date of the |
| 346 | notice. Failure to so notify the applicant in writing within the |
| 347 | 15-day period constitutes shall constitute acknowledgment by the |
| 348 | office that it has received all requested additional |
| 349 | information, and the application shall be deemed to be complete |
| 350 | for purposes of review on upon the date of the filing of all of |
| 351 | the required additional information. |
| 352 | (3)(k) Within 45 days after an application is deemed |
| 353 | complete as set forth in subsection (2) paragraph (j), and upon |
| 354 | completion of the remaining requirements of this section, the |
| 355 | office shall complete its review and shall issue, or deny a |
| 356 | certificate of authority, to the holder of a provisional |
| 357 | certificate of authority a certificate of authority. If a |
| 358 | certificate of authority is denied, the office must shall notify |
| 359 | the holder of the provisional certificate of authority in |
| 360 | writing, citing the specific failures to satisfy the provisions |
| 361 | of this chapter. If denied, the holder of the provisional |
| 362 | certificate is of authority shall be entitled to an |
| 363 | administrative hearing pursuant to chapter 120. |
| 364 | (4)(2)(a) The office shall issue a certificate of |
| 365 | authority upon determining its determination that the applicant |
| 366 | meets all requirements of law and has submitted all of the |
| 367 | information required by this section, that all escrow |
| 368 | requirements have been satisfied, and that the fees prescribed |
| 369 | in s. 651.015(2) have been paid. |
| 370 | (a) Notwithstanding satisfaction of the 30-percent minimum |
| 371 | reservation requirement of paragraph (1)(c), no certificate of |
| 372 | authority shall be issued until the project has a minimum of 50 |
| 373 | percent of the units reserved for which the provider is charging |
| 374 | an entrance fee, and proof thereof is provided to the office. If |
| 375 | a provider offering continuing care at-home is applying for a |
| 376 | certificate of authority or approval of an expansion pursuant to |
| 377 | s. 651.021(2), the same minimum reservation requirements must be |
| 378 | met for the continuing care and continuing care at-home |
| 379 | contracts, independently of each other. |
| 380 | (b) In order for a unit to be considered reserved under |
| 381 | this section, the provider must collect a minimum deposit of 10 |
| 382 | percent of the then-current entrance fee for that unit, and must |
| 383 | assess a forfeiture penalty of 2 percent of the entrance fee due |
| 384 | to termination of the reservation contract after 30 days for any |
| 385 | reason other than the death or serious illness of the resident, |
| 386 | the failure of the provider to meet its obligations under the |
| 387 | reservation contract, or other circumstances beyond the control |
| 388 | of the resident that equitably entitle the resident to a refund |
| 389 | of the resident's deposit. The reservation contract must shall |
| 390 | state the cancellation policy and the terms of the continuing |
| 391 | care or continuing care at-home contract to be entered into. |
| 392 | (5)(3) Up to No more than 25 percent of the moneys paid |
| 393 | for all or any part of an initial entrance fee may be included |
| 394 | or pledged for the construction or purchase of the facility, or |
| 395 | included or pledged as security for long-term financing. The |
| 396 | term "initial entrance fee" means the total entrance fee charged |
| 397 | by the facility to the first occupant of a unit. |
| 398 | (a) A minimum of 75 percent of the moneys paid for all or |
| 399 | any part of an initial entrance fee collected for continuing |
| 400 | care or continuing care at-home shall be placed in an escrow |
| 401 | account or on deposit with the department as prescribed in s. |
| 402 | 651.033. |
| 403 | (b) For an expansion as provided in s. 651.021(2), a |
| 404 | minimum of 75 percent of the moneys paid for all or any part of |
| 405 | an initial entrance fee collected for continuing care and 50 |
| 406 | percent of the moneys paid for all or any part of an initial fee |
| 407 | collected for continuing care at-home shall be placed in an |
| 408 | escrow account or on deposit with the department as prescribed |
| 409 | in s. 651.033. |
| 410 | (6)(4) The provider is shall be entitled to secure release |
| 411 | of the moneys held in escrow within 7 days after receipt by the |
| 412 | office of an affidavit from the provider, along with appropriate |
| 413 | copies to verify, and notification to the escrow agent by |
| 414 | certified mail, that the following conditions have been |
| 415 | satisfied: |
| 416 | (a) A certificate of occupancy has been issued. |
| 417 | (b) Payment in full has been received for at least no less |
| 418 | than 70 percent of the total units of a phase or of the total of |
| 419 | the combined phases constructed. If a provider offering |
| 420 | continuing care at-home is applying for a release of escrowed |
| 421 | entrance fees, the same minimum requirement must be met for the |
| 422 | continuing care and continuing care at-home contracts, |
| 423 | independently of each other. |
| 424 | (c) The consultant who prepared the feasibility study |
| 425 | required by this section or a substitute approved by the office |
| 426 | certifies within 12 months before the date of filing for office |
| 427 | approval that there has been no material adverse change in |
| 428 | status with regard to the feasibility study, with such statement |
| 429 | dated not more than 12 months from the date of filing for office |
| 430 | approval. If a material adverse change exists should exist at |
| 431 | the time of submission, then sufficient information acceptable |
| 432 | to the office and the feasibility consultant must shall be |
| 433 | submitted which remedies the adverse condition. |
| 434 | (d) Proof that commitments have been secured or a |
| 435 | documented plan adopted by the applicant has been approved by |
| 436 | the office for long-term financing. |
| 437 | (e) Proof that the provider has sufficient funds to meet |
| 438 | the requirements of s. 651.035, which may include funds |
| 439 | deposited in the initial entrance fee account. |
| 440 | (f) Proof as to the intended application of the proceeds |
| 441 | upon release and proof that the entrance fees when released will |
| 442 | be applied as represented to the office. |
| 443 |
|
| 444 | Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 120, no person, other |
| 445 | than the provider, the escrow agent, and the office, may shall |
| 446 | have a substantial interest in any office decision regarding |
| 447 | release of escrow funds in any proceedings under chapter 120 or |
| 448 | this chapter regarding release of escrow funds. |
| 449 | (7)(5) In lieu of the provider fulfilling the requirements |
| 450 | in subsection (5) (3) and paragraphs (6)(4)(b) and (d), the |
| 451 | office may authorize the release of escrowed funds to retire all |
| 452 | outstanding debts on the facility and equipment upon application |
| 453 | of the provider and upon the provider's showing that the |
| 454 | provider will grant to the residents a first mortgage on the |
| 455 | land, buildings, and equipment that constitute the facility, and |
| 456 | that the provider has satisfied satisfies the requirements of |
| 457 | paragraphs (6)(4)(a), (c), and (e). Such mortgage shall secure |
| 458 | the refund of the entrance fee in the amount required by this |
| 459 | chapter. The granting of such mortgage is shall be subject to |
| 460 | the following: |
| 461 | (a) The first mortgage is shall be granted to an |
| 462 | independent trust that which is beneficially held by the |
| 463 | residents. The document creating the trust must include shall |
| 464 | contain a provision that it agrees to an annual audit and will |
| 465 | furnish to the office all information the office may reasonably |
| 466 | require. The mortgage may secure payment on bonds issued to the |
| 467 | residents or trustee. Such bonds are shall be redeemable after |
| 468 | termination of the residency contract in the amount and manner |
| 469 | required by this chapter for the refund of an entrance fee. |
| 470 | (b) Before granting a first mortgage to the residents, all |
| 471 | construction must shall be substantially completed and |
| 472 | substantially all equipment must shall be purchased. No part of |
| 473 | the entrance fees may be pledged as security for a construction |
| 474 | loan or otherwise used for construction expenses before the |
| 475 | completion of construction. |
| 476 | (c) If the provider is leasing the land or buildings used |
| 477 | by the facility, the leasehold interest must shall be for a term |
| 478 | of at least 30 years. |
| 479 | (8)(6) The timeframes provided under s. 651.022(5) and (6) |
| 480 | apply to applications submitted under s. 651.021(2). The office |
| 481 | may not issue a certificate of authority under this chapter to a |
| 482 | any facility that which does not have a component that which is |
| 483 | to be licensed pursuant to part II of chapter 400 or to part I |
| 484 | of chapter 429 or that does which will not offer personal |
| 485 | services or nursing services through written contractual |
| 486 | agreement. A Any written contractual agreement must be disclosed |
| 487 | in the continuing care contract for continuing care or |
| 488 | continuing care at-home and is subject to the provisions of s. |
| 489 | 651.1151, relating to administrative, vendor, and management |
| 490 | contracts. |
| 491 | (9)(7) The office may shall not approve an application |
| 492 | that which includes in the plan of financing any encumbrance of |
| 493 | the operating reserves required by this chapter. |
| 494 | Section 7. Paragraphs (a) and (d) of subsection (3) of |
| 495 | section 651.033, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 496 | 651.033 Escrow accounts.- |
| 497 | (3) In addition, when entrance fees are required to be |
| 498 | deposited in an escrow account pursuant to s. 651.022, s. |
| 499 | 651.023, or s. 651.055: |
| 500 | (a) The provider shall deliver to the resident a written |
| 501 | receipt. The receipt must shall show the payor's name and |
| 502 | address, the date, the price of the care contract, and the |
| 503 | amount of money paid. A copy of each receipt, together with the |
| 504 | funds, shall be deposited with the escrow agent or as provided |
| 505 | in paragraph (c). The escrow agent shall release such funds to |
| 506 | the provider upon the expiration of 7 days after the date of |
| 507 | receipt of the funds by the escrow agent if the provider, |
| 508 | operating under a certificate of authority issued by the office, |
| 509 | has met the requirements of s. 651.023(6)(4). However, if the |
| 510 | resident rescinds the contract within the 7-day period, the |
| 511 | escrow agent shall release the escrowed fees to the resident. |
| 512 | (d) A provider may assess a nonrefundable fee, which is |
| 513 | separate from the entrance fee, for processing a prospective |
| 514 | resident's application for continuing care or continuing care |
| 515 | at-home. |
| 516 | Section 8. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 651.035, |
| 517 | Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 518 | 651.035 Minimum liquid reserve requirements.- |
| 519 | (2)(a) In facilities where not all residents are under |
| 520 | continuing care or continuing care at-home contracts, the |
| 521 | reserve requirements of subsection (1) shall be computed only |
| 522 | with respect to the proportional share of operating expenses |
| 523 | that which are applicable to residents as defined in s. 651.011. |
| 524 | For purposes of this calculation, the proportional share shall |
| 525 | be based upon the ratio of residents under continuing care or |
| 526 | continuing care at-home contracts to those residents who do not |
| 527 | hold such contracts. |
| 528 | (b) In facilities that have voluntarily and permanently |
| 529 | discontinued marketing continuing care and continuing care at- |
| 530 | home contracts, the office may allow a reduced debt service |
| 531 | reserve as required in subsection (1) based upon the ratio of |
| 532 | residents under continuing care or continuing care at-home |
| 533 | contracts to those residents who do not hold such contracts if |
| 534 | the office finds that such reduction is not inconsistent with |
| 535 | the security protections intended by this chapter. In making |
| 536 | this determination, the office may consider such factors as the |
| 537 | financial condition of the facility, the provisions of the |
| 538 | outstanding continuing care and continuing care at-home |
| 539 | contracts, the ratio of residents under continuing care or |
| 540 | continuing care at-home contracts agreements to those residents |
| 541 | who do not hold such contracts a continuing care contract, the |
| 542 | current occupancy rates, the previous sales and marketing |
| 543 | efforts, the life expectancy of the remaining residents contract |
| 544 | holders, and the written policies of the board of directors of |
| 545 | the provider or a similar board. |
| 546 | (3) If principal and interest payments are paid to a trust |
| 547 | that is beneficially held by the residents as described in s. |
| 548 | 651.023(7)(5), the office may waive all or any portion of the |
| 549 | escrow requirements for mortgage principal and interest |
| 550 | contained in subsection (1) if the office finds that such waiver |
| 551 | is not inconsistent with the security protections intended by |
| 552 | this chapter. |
| 553 | Section 9. Section 651.055, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 554 | to read: |
| 555 | 651.055 Continuing care contracts; right to rescind.- |
| 556 | (1) Each continuing care contract and each addendum to |
| 557 | such contract shall be submitted to and approved by the office |
| 558 | before prior to its use in this state. Thereafter, no other form |
| 559 | of contract shall be used by the provider until unless it has |
| 560 | been submitted to and approved by the office. Each contract must |
| 561 | shall: |
| 562 | (a) Provide for the continuing care of only one resident, |
| 563 | or for two persons occupying space designed for double |
| 564 | occupancy, under appropriate regulations established by the |
| 565 | provider, and must shall list all properties transferred and |
| 566 | their market value at the time of transfer, including donations, |
| 567 | subscriptions, fees, and any other amounts paid or payable by, |
| 568 | or on behalf of, the resident or residents. |
| 569 | (b) Specify all services that which are to be provided by |
| 570 | the provider to each resident, including, in detail, all items |
| 571 | that which each resident will receive, whether the items will be |
| 572 | provided for a designated time period or for life, and whether |
| 573 | the services will be available on the premises or at another |
| 574 | specified location. The provider shall indicate which services |
| 575 | or items are included in the contract for continuing care and |
| 576 | which services or items are made available at or by the facility |
| 577 | at extra charge. Such items shall include, but are not limited |
| 578 | to, food, shelter, personal services or nursing care, drugs, |
| 579 | burial, and incidentals. |
| 580 | (c) Describe the terms and conditions under which a |
| 581 | contract for continuing care may be canceled by the provider or |
| 582 | by a resident and the conditions, if any, under which all or any |
| 583 | portion of the entrance fee will be refunded in the event of |
| 584 | cancellation of the contract by the provider or by the resident, |
| 585 | including the effect of any change in the health or financial |
| 586 | condition of a person between the date of entering a contract |
| 587 | for continuing care and the date of initial occupancy of a |
| 588 | living unit by that person. |
| 589 | (d) Describe the health and financial conditions required |
| 590 | for a person to be accepted as a resident and to continue as a |
| 591 | resident, once accepted, including the effect of any change in |
| 592 | the health or financial condition of the person between the date |
| 593 | of submitting an application for admission to the facility and |
| 594 | entering into a continuing care contract. If a prospective |
| 595 | resident signs a contract but postpones moving into the |
| 596 | facility, the individual is deemed to be occupying a unit at the |
| 597 | facility when he or she pays the entrance fee or any portion of |
| 598 | the fee, other than a reservation deposit, and begins making |
| 599 | monthly maintenance fee payments. Such resident may rescind the |
| 600 | contract and receive a full refund of any funds paid, without |
| 601 | penalty or forfeiture, within 7 days after executing the |
| 602 | contract as specified in subsection (2). |
| 603 | (e) Describe the circumstances under which the resident |
| 604 | will be permitted to remain in the facility in the event of |
| 605 | financial difficulties of the resident. The stated policy may |
| 606 | not be less than the terms stated in s. 651.061. |
| 607 | (f) State the fees that will be charged if the resident |
| 608 | marries while at the designated facility, the terms concerning |
| 609 | the entry of a spouse to the facility, and the consequences if |
| 610 | the spouse does not meet the requirements for entry. |
| 611 | (g) Provide that the contract may be canceled by giving at |
| 612 | least 30 days' written notice of cancellation by the provider, |
| 613 | the resident, or the person who provided the transfer of |
| 614 | property or funds for the care of such resident.; However, if a |
| 615 | contract is canceled because there has been a good faith |
| 616 | determination that a resident is a danger to himself or herself |
| 617 | or others, only such notice as is reasonable under the |
| 618 | circumstances is required. |
| 619 | 1. The contract must also provide in clear and |
| 620 | understandable language, in print no smaller than the largest |
| 621 | type used in the body of the contract, the terms governing the |
| 622 | refund of any portion of the entrance fee. |
| 623 | 2. For a resident whose contract with the facility |
| 624 | provides that the resident does not receive a transferable |
| 625 | membership or ownership right in the facility, and who has |
| 626 | occupied his or her unit, the refund shall be calculated on a |
| 627 | pro rata basis with the facility retaining up to 2 percent per |
| 628 | month of occupancy by the resident and up to a 5 percent 5- |
| 629 | percent processing fee. Such refund must be paid within 120 days |
| 630 | after giving the notice of intention to cancel. |
| 631 | 3. In addition to a processing fee, if the contract |
| 632 | provides for the facility to retain up to 1 percent per month of |
| 633 | occupancy by the resident, it may provide that such refund will |
| 634 | be paid from the proceeds of the next entrance fees received by |
| 635 | the provider for units for which there are no prior claims by |
| 636 | any resident until paid in full or, if the provider has |
| 637 | discontinued marketing continuing care contracts, within 200 |
| 638 | days after the date of notice. |
| 639 | 4. Unless subsection (5) applies, for any prospective |
| 640 | resident, regardless of whether or not such a resident receives |
| 641 | a transferable membership or ownership right in the facility, |
| 642 | who cancels the contract before occupancy of the unit, the |
| 643 | entire amount paid toward the entrance fee shall be refunded, |
| 644 | less a processing fee of up to 5 percent of the entire entrance |
| 645 | fee; however, the processing fee may not exceed the amount paid |
| 646 | by the prospective resident. Such refund must be paid within 60 |
| 647 | days after giving the notice of intention to cancel. For a |
| 648 | resident who has occupied his or her unit and who has received a |
| 649 | transferable membership or ownership right in the facility, the |
| 650 | foregoing refund provisions do not apply but are deemed |
| 651 | satisfied by the acquisition or receipt of a transferable |
| 652 | membership or an ownership right in the facility. The provider |
| 653 | may not charge any fee for the transfer of membership or sale of |
| 654 | an ownership right. A prospective resident, resident, or |
| 655 | resident's estate is not entitled to interest of any type on a |
| 656 | deposit or entrance fee unless it is specified in the continuing |
| 657 | care contract. |
| 658 | (h) State the terms under which a contract is canceled by |
| 659 | the death of the resident. These terms may contain a provision |
| 660 | that, upon the death of a resident, the entrance fee of such |
| 661 | resident is shall be considered earned and becomes shall become |
| 662 | the property of the provider. If When the unit is shared, the |
| 663 | conditions with respect to the effect of the death or removal of |
| 664 | one of the residents must shall be included in the contract. |
| 665 | (i) Describe the policies that which may lead to changes |
| 666 | in monthly recurring and nonrecurring charges or fees for goods |
| 667 | and services received. The contract must shall provide for |
| 668 | advance notice to the resident, of at least not less than 60 |
| 669 | days, before any change in fees or charges or the scope of care |
| 670 | or services is may be effective, except for changes required by |
| 671 | state or federal assistance programs. |
| 672 | (j) Provide that charges for care paid in one lump sum may |
| 673 | shall not be increased or changed during the duration of the |
| 674 | agreed upon care, except for changes required by state or |
| 675 | federal assistance programs. |
| 676 | (k) Specify whether or not the facility is, or is |
| 677 | affiliated with, a religious, nonprofit, or proprietary |
| 678 | organization or management entity; the extent to which the |
| 679 | affiliate organization will be responsible for the financial and |
| 680 | contractual obligations of the provider; and the provisions of |
| 681 | the federal Internal Revenue Code, if any, under which the |
| 682 | provider or affiliate is exempt from the payment of federal |
| 683 | income tax. |
| 684 | (2) A resident has the right to rescind a continuing care |
| 685 | contract and receive a full refund of any funds paid, without |
| 686 | penalty or forfeiture, within 7 days after executing the |
| 687 | contract. A resident may not be required to move into the |
| 688 | facility designated in the contract before the expiration of the |
| 689 | 7-day period. During the 7-day period, the resident's funds must |
| 690 | be held in an escrow account unless otherwise requested by the |
| 691 | resident pursuant to s. 651.033(3)(c). |
| 692 | (3) The contract must shall include or shall be |
| 693 | accompanied by a statement, printed in boldfaced type, which |
| 694 | reads: "This facility and all other continuing care facilities |
| 695 | in the State of Florida are regulated by chapter 651, Florida |
| 696 | Statutes. A copy of the law is on file in this facility. The law |
| 697 | gives you or your legal representative the right to inspect our |
| 698 | most recent financial statement and inspection report before |
| 699 | signing the contract." |
| 700 | (4) Before the transfer of any money or other property to |
| 701 | a provider by or on behalf of a prospective resident, the |
| 702 | provider shall present a typewritten or printed copy of the |
| 703 | contract to the prospective resident and all other parties to |
| 704 | the contract. The provider shall secure a signed, dated |
| 705 | statement from each party to the contract certifying that a copy |
| 706 | of the contract with the specified attachment, as required |
| 707 | pursuant to this chapter, was received. |
| 708 | (5) Except for a resident who postpones moving into the |
| 709 | facility but is deemed to have occupied a unit as described in |
| 710 | paragraph (1)(d), if a prospective resident dies before |
| 711 | occupying the facility or, through illness, injury, or |
| 712 | incapacity, is precluded from becoming a resident under the |
| 713 | terms of the continuing care contract, the contract is |
| 714 | automatically canceled, and the prospective resident or his or |
| 715 | her legal representative shall receive a full refund of all |
| 716 | moneys paid to the facility, except those costs specifically |
| 717 | incurred by the facility at the request of the prospective |
| 718 | resident and set forth in writing in a separate addendum, signed |
| 719 | by both parties, to the contract. |
| 720 | (6) In order to comply with this section, a provider may |
| 721 | furnish information not contained in his or her continuing care |
| 722 | contract through an addendum. |
| 723 | (7) Contracts to provide continuing care, including |
| 724 | contracts that are terminable by either party, may include |
| 725 | agreements to provide care for any duration. |
| 726 | (8)(7) Those contracts entered into after subsequent to |
| 727 | July 1, 1977, and before the issuance of a certificate of |
| 728 | authority to the provider are valid and binding upon both |
| 729 | parties in accordance with their terms. Within 30 days after |
| 730 | receipt of a letter from the office notifying the provider of a |
| 731 | noncompliant residency contract, the provider shall file a new |
| 732 | residency contract for approval that complies with Florida law. |
| 733 | Pending review and approval of the new residency contract, the |
| 734 | provider may continue to use the previously approved contract. |
| 735 | (9)(8) The provisions of this section shall control over |
| 736 | any conflicting provisions contained in part II of chapter 400 |
| 737 | or in part I of chapter 429. |
| 738 | Section 10. Section 651.057, Florida Statutes, is created |
| 739 | to read: |
| 740 | 651.057 Continuing care at-home contracts.- |
| 741 | (1) In addition to the requirements of s. 651.055, a |
| 742 | provider offering contracts for continuing care at-home must: |
| 743 | (a) Disclose the following in the continuing care at-home |
| 744 | contract: |
| 745 | 1. Whether transportation will be provided to residents |
| 746 | when traveling to and from the facility for services; |
| 747 | 2. That the provider has no liability for residents |
| 748 | residing outside the facility beyond the delivery of services |
| 749 | specified in the contract and future access to nursing care or |
| 750 | personal services at the facility or in another setting |
| 751 | designated in the contract; |
| 752 | 3. The mechanism for monitoring residents who live outside |
| 753 | the facility; |
| 754 | 4. The process that will be followed to establish priority |
| 755 | if a resident wishes to exercise his or her right to move into |
| 756 | the facility; and |
| 757 | 5. The policy that will be followed if a resident living |
| 758 | outside the facility relocates to a different residence and no |
| 759 | longer avails himself or herself of services provided by the |
| 760 | facility. |
| 761 | (b) Ensure that persons employed by or under contract with |
| 762 | the provider who assist in the delivery of services to residents |
| 763 | residing outside the facility are appropriately licensed or |
| 764 | certified as required by law. |
| 765 | (c) Include operating expenses for continuing care at-home |
| 766 | contracts in the calculation of the operating reserve required |
| 767 | by s. 651.035(1)(c). |
| 768 | (d) Include the operating activities for continuing care |
| 769 | at-home contracts in the total operation of the facility when |
| 770 | submitting financial reports to the office as required by s. |
| 771 | 651.026. |
| 772 | (2) A provider that holds a certificate of authority and |
| 773 | wishes to offer continuing care at-home must also: |
| 774 | (a) Submit a business plan to the office with the |
| 775 | following information: |
| 776 | 1. A description of the continuing care at-home services |
| 777 | that will be provided, the market to be served, and the fees to |
| 778 | be charged; |
| 779 | 2. A copy of the proposed continuing care at-home |
| 780 | contract; |
| 781 | 3. An actuarial study prepared by an independent actuary |
| 782 | in accordance with the standards adopted by the American Academy |
| 783 | of Actuaries which presents the impact of providing continuing |
| 784 | care at-home on the overall operation of the facility; and |
| 785 | 4. A market feasibility study that meets the requirements |
| 786 | of s. 651.022(3) and documents that there is sufficient interest |
| 787 | in continuing care at-home contracts to support such a program; |
| 788 | (b) Demonstrate to the office that the proposal to offer |
| 789 | continuing care at-home contracts to individuals who do not |
| 790 | immediately move into the facility will not place the provider |
| 791 | in an unsound financial condition; |
| 792 | (c) Comply with the requirements of s. 651.021(2), except |
| 793 | that an actuarial study may be substituted for the feasibility |
| 794 | study; and |
| 795 | (d) Comply with the requirements of this chapter. |
| 796 | (3) Contracts to provide continuing care at-home, |
| 797 | including contracts that are terminable by either party, may |
| 798 | include agreements to provide care for any duration. |
| 799 | (4) A provider offering continuing care at-home contracts |
| 800 | must, at a minimum, have a facility that is licensed under this |
| 801 | chapter and has accommodations for independent living which are |
| 802 | primarily intended for residents who do not require staff |
| 803 | supervision. The facility need not offer assisted living units |
| 804 | licensed under part I of chapter 429 or nursing home units |
| 805 | licensed under part II of chapter 400 in order to be able to |
| 806 | offer continuing care at-home contracts. |
| 807 | (a) The combined number of outstanding continuing care |
| 808 | (CCRC) and continuing care at-home (CCAH) contracts allowed at |
| 809 | the facility may be the greater of: |
| 810 | 1. One and one-half times the combined number of |
| 811 | independent living units (ILU), assisted living units (ALF) that |
| 812 | are licensed under part I of chapter 429, and nursing home units |
| 813 | licensed under part II of chapter 400 at the facility; or |
| 814 | 2. Four times the combined number of assisted living units |
| 815 | (ALF) that are licensed under part I of chapter 429 and nursing |
| 816 | home units that are licensed under part II of chapter 400 at |
| 817 | that facility. |
| 818 | (b) The number of independent living units at the facility |
| 819 | must be equal to or greater than 10 percent of the initial 100 |
| 820 | continuing care (CCRC) and continuing care at-home (CCAH) |
| 821 | contracts and 5 percent of the combined number of outstanding |
| 822 | continuing care (CCRC) and continuing care at-home (CCAH) |
| 823 | contracts in excess of 100 issued by that facility. |
| 824 | Section 11. Subsection (1) of section 651.071, Florida |
| 825 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 826 | 651.071 Contracts as preferred claims on liquidation or |
| 827 | receivership.- |
| 828 | (1) In the event of receivership or liquidation |
| 829 | proceedings against a provider, all continuing care and |
| 830 | continuing care at-home contracts executed by a provider shall |
| 831 | be deemed preferred claims against all assets owned by the |
| 832 | provider; however, such claims are shall be subordinate to those |
| 833 | priority claims set forth in s. 631.271 and any secured claim as |
| 834 | defined in s. 631.011. |
| 835 | Section 12. Paragraph (h) of subsection (2) and subsection |
| 836 | (3) of section 651.091, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 837 | 651.091 Availability, distribution, and posting of reports |
| 838 | and records; requirement of full disclosure.- |
| 839 | (2) Every continuing care facility shall: |
| 840 | (h) Upon request, deliver to the president or chair of the |
| 841 | residents' council a copy of any newly approved continuing care |
| 842 | or continuing care at-home contract within 30 days after |
| 843 | approval by the office. |
| 844 | (3) Before entering into a contract to furnish continuing |
| 845 | care or continuing care at-home, the provider undertaking to |
| 846 | furnish the care, or the agent of the provider, shall make full |
| 847 | disclosure, and provide copies of the disclosure documents to |
| 848 | the prospective resident or his or her legal representative, of |
| 849 | the following information: |
| 850 | (a) The contract to furnish continuing care or continuing |
| 851 | care at-home. |
| 852 | (b) The summary listed in paragraph (2)(b). |
| 853 | (c) All ownership interests and lease agreements, |
| 854 | including information specified in s. 651.022(2)(b)8. |
| 855 | (d) In keeping with the intent of this subsection relating |
| 856 | to disclosure, the provider shall make available for review, |
| 857 | master plans approved by the provider's governing board and any |
| 858 | plans for expansion or phased development, to the extent that |
| 859 | the availability of such plans do will not put at risk real |
| 860 | estate, financing, acquisition, negotiations, or other |
| 861 | implementation of operational plans and thus jeopardize the |
| 862 | success of negotiations, operations, and development. |
| 863 | (e) Copies of the rules and regulations of the facility |
| 864 | and an explanation of the responsibilities of the resident. |
| 865 | (f) The policy of the facility with respect to admission |
| 866 | to and discharge from the various levels of health care offered |
| 867 | by the facility. |
| 868 | (g) The amount and location of any reserve funds required |
| 869 | by this chapter, and the name of the person or entity having a |
| 870 | claim to such funds in the event of a bankruptcy, foreclosure, |
| 871 | or rehabilitation proceeding. |
| 872 | (h) A copy of s. 651.071. |
| 873 | (i) A copy of the resident's rights as described in s. |
| 874 | 651.083. |
| 875 | Section 13. Section 651.106, Florida Statutes, is amended |
| 876 | to read: |
| 877 | 651.106 Grounds for discretionary refusal, suspension, or |
| 878 | revocation of certificate of authority.-The office, in its |
| 879 | discretion, may deny, suspend, or revoke the provisional |
| 880 | certificate of authority or the certificate of authority of any |
| 881 | applicant or provider if it finds that any one or more of the |
| 882 | following grounds applicable to the applicant or provider exist: |
| 883 | (1) Failure by the provider to continue to meet the |
| 884 | requirements for the authority originally granted. |
| 885 | (2) Failure by the provider to meet one or more of the |
| 886 | qualifications for the authority specified by this chapter. |
| 887 | (3) Material misstatement, misrepresentation, or fraud in |
| 888 | obtaining the authority, or in attempting to obtain the same. |
| 889 | (4) Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness. |
| 890 | (5) Fraudulent or dishonest practices of management in the |
| 891 | conduct of business. |
| 892 | (6) Misappropriation, conversion, or withholding of |
| 893 | moneys. |
| 894 | (7) Failure to comply with, or violation of, any proper |
| 895 | order or rule of the office or commission or violation of any |
| 896 | provision of this chapter. |
| 897 | (8) The insolvent condition of the provider or the |
| 898 | provider's being in such condition or using such methods and |
| 899 | practices in the conduct of its business as to render its |
| 900 | further transactions in this state hazardous or injurious to the |
| 901 | public. |
| 902 | (9) Refusal by the provider to be examined or to produce |
| 903 | its accounts, records, and files for examination, or refusal by |
| 904 | any of its officers to give information with respect to its |
| 905 | affairs or to perform any other legal obligation under this |
| 906 | chapter when required by the office. |
| 907 | (10) Failure by the provider to comply with the |
| 908 | requirements of s. 651.026 or s. 651.033. |
| 909 | (11) Failure by the provider to maintain escrow accounts |
| 910 | or funds as required by this chapter. |
| 911 | (12) Failure by the provider to meet the requirements of |
| 912 | this chapter for disclosure of information to residents |
| 913 | concerning the facility, its ownership, its management, its |
| 914 | development, or its financial condition or failure to honor its |
| 915 | continuing care or continuing care at-home contracts. |
| 916 | (13) Any cause for which issuance of the license could |
| 917 | have been refused had it then existed and been known to the |
| 918 | office. |
| 919 | (14) Having been found guilty of, or having pleaded guilty |
| 920 | or nolo contendere to, a felony in this state or any other |
| 921 | state, without regard to whether a judgment or conviction has |
| 922 | been entered by the court having jurisdiction of such cases. |
| 923 | (15) In the conduct of business under the license, |
| 924 | engaging in unfair methods of competition or in unfair or |
| 925 | deceptive acts or practices prohibited under part IX of chapter |
| 926 | 626. |
| 927 | (16) A pattern of bankrupt enterprises. |
| 928 |
|
| 929 | Revocation of a certificate of authority under this section does |
| 930 | not relieve a provider from the provider's obligation to |
| 931 | residents under the terms and conditions of any continuing care |
| 932 | or continuing care at-home contract between the provider and |
| 933 | residents or the provisions of this chapter. The provider shall |
| 934 | continue to file its annual statement and pay license fees to |
| 935 | the office as required under this chapter as if the certificate |
| 936 | of authority had continued in full force, but the provider shall |
| 937 | not issue any new continuing care contracts. The office may seek |
| 938 | an action in the circuit court of Leon County to enforce the |
| 939 | office's order and the provisions of this section. |
| 940 | Section 14. Subsection (8) of section 651.114, Florida |
| 941 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 942 | 651.114 Delinquency proceedings; remedial rights.- |
| 943 | (8)(a) The rights of the office described in this section |
| 944 | are shall be subordinate to the rights of a trustee or lender |
| 945 | pursuant to the terms of a resolution, ordinance, loan |
| 946 | agreement, indenture of trust, mortgage, lease, security |
| 947 | agreement, or other instrument creating or securing bonds or |
| 948 | notes issued to finance a facility, and the office, subject to |
| 949 | the provisions of paragraph (c), shall not exercise its remedial |
| 950 | rights provided under this section and ss. 651.018, 651.106, |
| 951 | 651.108, and 651.116 with respect to a facility that is subject |
| 952 | to a lien, mortgage, lease, or other encumbrance or trust |
| 953 | indenture securing bonds or notes issued in connection with the |
| 954 | financing of the facility, if the trustee or lender, by |
| 955 | inclusion or by amendment to the loan documents or by a separate |
| 956 | contract with the office, agrees that the rights of residents |
| 957 | under a continuing care or continuing care at-home contract will |
| 958 | be honored and will not be disturbed by a foreclosure or |
| 959 | conveyance in lieu thereof as long as the resident: |
| 960 | 1. Is current in the payment of all monetary obligations |
| 961 | required by the continuing care contract; |
| 962 | 2. Is in compliance and continues to comply with all |
| 963 | provisions of the resident's continuing care contract; and |
| 964 | 3. Has asserted no claim inconsistent with the rights of |
| 965 | the trustee or lender. |
| 966 | (b) Nothing in This subsection does not require requires a |
| 967 | trustee or lender to: |
| 968 | 1. Continue to engage in the marketing or resale of new |
| 969 | continuing care or continuing care at-home contracts; |
| 970 | 2. Pay any rebate of entrance fees as may be required by a |
| 971 | resident's continuing care or continuing care at-home contract |
| 972 | as of the date of acquisition of the facility by the trustee or |
| 973 | lender and until expiration of the period described in paragraph |
| 974 | (d); |
| 975 | 3. Be responsible for any act or omission of any owner or |
| 976 | operator of the facility arising before prior to the acquisition |
| 977 | of the facility by the trustee or lender; or |
| 978 | 4. Provide services to the residents to the extent that |
| 979 | the trustee or lender would be required to advance or expend |
| 980 | funds that have not been designated or set aside for such |
| 981 | purposes. |
| 982 | (c) Should the office determine, at any time during the |
| 983 | suspension of its remedial rights as provided in paragraph (a), |
| 984 | that the trustee or lender is not in compliance with the |
| 985 | provisions of paragraph (a), or that a lender or trustee has |
| 986 | assigned or has agreed to assign all or a portion of a |
| 987 | delinquent or defaulted loan to a third party without the |
| 988 | office's written consent, the office shall notify the trustee or |
| 989 | lender in writing of its determination, setting forth the |
| 990 | reasons giving rise to the determination and specifying those |
| 991 | remedial rights afforded to the office which the office shall |
| 992 | then reinstate. |
| 993 | (d) Upon acquisition of a facility by a trustee or lender |
| 994 | and evidence satisfactory to the office that the requirements of |
| 995 | paragraph (a) have been met, the office shall issue a 90-day |
| 996 | temporary certificate of authority granting the trustee or |
| 997 | lender the authority to engage in the business of providing |
| 998 | continuing care or continuing care at-home and to issue |
| 999 | continuing care or continuing care at-home contracts subject to |
| 1000 | the office's right to immediately suspend or revoke the |
| 1001 | temporary certificate of authority if the office determines that |
| 1002 | any of the grounds described in s. 651.106 apply to the trustee |
| 1003 | or lender or that the terms of the contract agreement used as |
| 1004 | the basis for the issuance of the temporary certificate of |
| 1005 | authority by the office have not been or are not being met by |
| 1006 | the trustee or lender since the date of acquisition. |
| 1007 | Section 15. Subsections (4), (7), (9), and (11) of section |
| 1008 | 651.118, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: |
| 1009 | 651.118 Agency for Health Care Administration; |
| 1010 | certificates of need; sheltered beds; community beds.- |
| 1011 | (4) Not including the residences of residents residing |
| 1012 | outside the facility pursuant to a continuing care at-home |
| 1013 | contract, the Agency for Health Care Administration shall |
| 1014 | approve one sheltered nursing home bed for every four proposed |
| 1015 | residential units, including those that are licensed under part |
| 1016 | I of chapter 429, in the continuing care facility unless the |
| 1017 | provider demonstrates the need for a lesser number of sheltered |
| 1018 | nursing home beds based on proposed utilization by prospective |
| 1019 | residents or demonstrates the need for additional sheltered |
| 1020 | nursing home beds based on actual utilization and demand by |
| 1021 | current residents. |
| 1022 | (7) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2), at |
| 1023 | the discretion of the continuing care provider, sheltered |
| 1024 | nursing home beds may be used for persons who are not residents |
| 1025 | of the continuing care facility and who are not parties to a |
| 1026 | continuing care contract for a period of up to 5 years after the |
| 1027 | date of issuance of the initial nursing home license. A provider |
| 1028 | whose 5-year period has expired or is expiring may request an |
| 1029 | extension from the Agency for Health Care Administration for an |
| 1030 | extension, not to exceed 30 percent of the total sheltered |
| 1031 | nursing home beds or 30 sheltered beds, whichever is greater, if |
| 1032 | the utilization by residents of the nursing home facility in the |
| 1033 | sheltered beds will not generate sufficient income to cover |
| 1034 | nursing home facility expenses, as evidenced by one of the |
| 1035 | following: |
| 1036 | (a) The nursing home facility has a net loss for the most |
| 1037 | recent fiscal year as determined under generally accepted |
| 1038 | accounting principles, excluding the effects of extraordinary or |
| 1039 | unusual items, as demonstrated in the most recently audited |
| 1040 | financial statement.; or |
| 1041 | (b) The nursing home facility would have had a pro forma |
| 1042 | loss for the most recent fiscal year, excluding the effects of |
| 1043 | extraordinary or unusual items, if revenues were reduced by the |
| 1044 | amount of revenues from persons in sheltered beds who were not |
| 1045 | residents, as reported on by a certified public accountant. |
| 1046 |
|
| 1047 | The Agency for Health Care Administration may shall be |
| 1048 | authorized to grant an extension to the provider based on the |
| 1049 | evidence required in this subsection. The Agency for Health Care |
| 1050 | Administration may request a continuing care facility to use up |
| 1051 | to 25 percent of the patient days generated by new admissions of |
| 1052 | nonresidents during the extension period to serve Medicaid |
| 1053 | recipients for those beds authorized for extended use if there |
| 1054 | is a demonstrated need in the respective service area and if |
| 1055 | funds are available. A provider who obtains an extension is |
| 1056 | prohibited from applying for additional sheltered beds under the |
| 1057 | provision of subsection (2), unless additional residential units |
| 1058 | are built or the provider can demonstrate need by continuing |
| 1059 | care facility residents to the Agency for Health Care |
| 1060 | Administration. The 5-year limit does not apply to up to five |
| 1061 | sheltered beds designated for inpatient hospice care as part of |
| 1062 | a contractual arrangement with a hospice licensed under part IV |
| 1063 | of chapter 400. A continuing care facility that uses such beds |
| 1064 | after the 5-year period shall report such use to the Agency for |
| 1065 | Health Care Administration. For purposes of this subsection, |
| 1066 | "resident" means a person who, upon admission to the continuing |
| 1067 | care facility, initially resides in a part of the continuing |
| 1068 | care facility not licensed under part II of chapter 400, or who |
| 1069 | contracts for continuing care at-home. |
| 1070 | (9) This section does not preclude a continuing care |
| 1071 | provider from applying to the Agency for Health Care |
| 1072 | Administration for a certificate of need for community nursing |
| 1073 | home beds or a combination of community and sheltered nursing |
| 1074 | home beds. Any nursing home bed located in a continuing care |
| 1075 | facility which that is or has been issued for nonrestrictive use |
| 1076 | retains shall retain its legal status as a community nursing |
| 1077 | home bed unless the provider requests a change in status. Any |
| 1078 | nursing home bed located in a continuing care facility and not |
| 1079 | issued as a sheltered nursing home bed before prior to 1979 must |
| 1080 | be classified as a community bed. The Agency for Health Care |
| 1081 | Administration may require continuing care facilities to submit |
| 1082 | bed utilization reports for the purpose of determining community |
| 1083 | and sheltered nursing home bed inventories based on historical |
| 1084 | utilization by residents and nonresidents. |
| 1085 | (11) For a provider issued a provisional certificate of |
| 1086 | authority after July 1, 1986, to operate a facility not |
| 1087 | previously regulated under this chapter, the following criteria |
| 1088 | must shall be met in order to obtain a certificate of need for |
| 1089 | sheltered beds pursuant to subsections (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), |
| 1090 | and (7): |
| 1091 | (a) Seventy percent or more of the current residents hold |
| 1092 | continuing care or continuing care at-home contracts agreements |
| 1093 | pursuant to s. 651.011(2) or, if the facility is not occupied, |
| 1094 | 70 percent or more of the prospective residents will hold such |
| 1095 | contracts continuing care agreements pursuant to s. 651.011(2) |
| 1096 | as projected in the feasibility study and demonstrated by the |
| 1097 | provider's marketing practices; and |
| 1098 | (b) The continuing care or continuing care at-home |
| 1099 | contracts agreements entered into or to be entered into by 70 |
| 1100 | percent or more of the current residents or prospective |
| 1101 | residents must pursuant to s. 651.011(2) shall provide nursing |
| 1102 | home care for a minimum of 360 cumulative days, and such |
| 1103 | residents the holders of the continuing care agreements shall be |
| 1104 | charged at rates that which are 80 percent or less than the |
| 1105 | rates charged by the provider to persons receiving nursing home |
| 1106 | care who have not entered into such contracts continuing care |
| 1107 | agreements pursuant to s. 651.011(2). |
| 1108 | Section 16. Subsection (1) of section 651.121, Florida |
| 1109 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 1110 | 651.121 Continuing Care Advisory Council.- |
| 1111 | (1) The Continuing Care Advisory Council to the office is |
| 1112 | created consisting to consist of 10 members who are residents of |
| 1113 | this state appointed by the Governor and geographically |
| 1114 | representative of this state. Three members shall be |
| 1115 | administrators of facilities that hold valid certificates of |
| 1116 | authority under this chapter and shall have been actively |
| 1117 | engaged in the offering of continuing care contracts agreements |
| 1118 | in this state for 5 years before appointment. The remaining |
| 1119 | members include: |
| 1120 | (a) A representative of the business community whose |
| 1121 | expertise is in the area of management. |
| 1122 | (b) A representative of the financial community who is not |
| 1123 | a facility owner or administrator. |
| 1124 | (c) A certified public accountant. |
| 1125 | (d) An attorney. |
| 1126 | (e) Three residents who hold continuing care or continuing |
| 1127 | care at-home contracts agreements with a facility certified in |
| 1128 | this state. |
| 1129 | Section 17. Subsection (1) of section 651.125, Florida |
| 1130 | Statutes, is amended to read: |
| 1131 | 651.125 Criminal penalties; injunctive relief.- |
| 1132 | (1) Any person who maintains, enters into, or, as manager |
| 1133 | or officer or in any other administrative capacity, assists in |
| 1134 | entering into, maintaining, or performing any continuing care or |
| 1135 | continuing care at-home contract agreement subject to this |
| 1136 | chapter without doing so in pursuance of a valid certificate of |
| 1137 | authority or renewal thereof, as contemplated by or provided in |
| 1138 | this chapter, or who otherwise violates any provision of this |
| 1139 | chapter or rule adopted in pursuance of this chapter, commits is |
| 1140 | guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided |
| 1141 | in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Each violation of this chapter |
| 1142 | constitutes a separate offense. |
| 1143 | Section 18. This act shall take effect July 1, 2011. |