Iowa Code Title VI. Human Services [Chs. 216-255A] § 231C.11A. Voluntary cessation of program operations--decertification

1. The department shall adopt rules regarding the voluntary cessation of program operations of an assisted living program, including decertification. The rules shall address notification of the tenants, tenant legal representatives, the department, and the tenant advocate at least ninety days prior to the anticipated date of cessation of program operations; the requirements for the safe and orderly transfer or transition of all tenants; and monitoring of the program during the process and after cessation of program operations.

2. Within seven days following provision of notice of cessation of program operations, the assisted living program shall hold a meeting and invite all tenants, tenant legal representatives, families of tenants, representatives of the department, and the tenant advocate to discuss the pending cessation of the program and to answer any questions. The department and the tenant advocate shall have access to attend the meeting and provide information to the tenants regarding their legal rights.

3. The tenant advocate shall monitor the decertification process and shall undertake any investigations necessary to ensure that the rights of tenants are protected during the process and after cessation of program operations. The tenant advocate shall assist tenants during the transition, including assisting tenants in finding necessary and appropriate service providers if the assisted living program is unable to provide such necessary and appropriate services during the transition period. The assisted living program shall cooperate with the tenant advocate by providing contact information for service providers within a thirty-mile radius of the program.

4. Following cessation of program operations and decertification, the department shall retain authority to monitor the decertified program to ensure that the entity does not continue to act as an uncertified assisted living program or other unlicensed, uncertified, or unregistered entity otherwise regulated by the state following decertification. If a decertified assisted living program continues to or subsequently acts in a manner that meets the definition of assisted living pursuant to section 231C.2, the decertified program is subject to the criminal penalties and injunctive relief provisions of section 231C.15, and any other penalties applicable by law.