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<section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="19-1402" title_number="19" title_name="Health Care Facilities" subtitle_number="14" subtitle_name="Nursing Homes">
  <level label="a">
    <text>If a deficiency exists, the Secretary may impose sanctions that include:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A directed plan of correction with corrective measures necessary to protect residents;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Imposing adequate staffing levels in a nursing home;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>Appointing a State monitor subject to § 19-1405 of this subtitle; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Imposing a civil money penalty.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>A civil money penalty may be imposed when a deficiency exists or an ongoing pattern of deficiencies exists in a nursing home.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>In determining whether a civil money penalty is to be imposed, the Secretary shall consider, pursuant to guidelines set forth in regulations promulgated by the Secretary, the following factors:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>The number, nature, and seriousness of the deficiencies;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The extent to which the deficiency or deficiencies are part of an ongoing pattern during the preceding 24 months;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>The degree of risk to the health, life, or safety of the residents of the nursing home caused by the deficiency or deficiencies;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>The efforts made by, and the ability of, the nursing home to correct the deficiency or deficiencies; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>A nursing home’s prior history of compliance.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>Upon determination by the Department that a deficiency or deficiencies exist, the Department shall notify the nursing home that:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Unless corrective action taken pursuant to this section is substantially completed, a civil money penalty will be imposed; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>An order imposing a civil money penalty will be issued, pursuant to § 19-1403 of this subtitle which shall include a list of all deficiencies and notice that a civil money penalty may be imposed until the time that the cited deficiencies have been rectified.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
