<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" citation="COMAR 10.21.04.07" title_num="10" subtitle_num="21" chapter_num="04" heading="Deemed Status.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Request for Deemed Status. If a group home is licensed by the Department and is accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) or the Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission (CARF), the governing body of the group home may request that the Secretary grant the group home deemed status by submitting a written request:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>At least 90 days before the expiration of the group home's license;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>To the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Administration;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>CSA, if the jurisdiction in which the program is to be located is served by a CSA; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Health officer, if the jurisdiction in which the program is to be located is not served by a CSA; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>That includes the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Application required under Regulation .05B of this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Accreditation body's full report including the group home's status and any conditions placed on the group home.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Evaluation of Request for Deemed Status. Within 30 calendar days of receipt of the request under §A of this regulation:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Administration, in consultation with the CSA:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Shall evaluate the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Application;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Report of the accreditation body; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Most recent report by the Department's designated licensure unit;</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>May meet with the applicant; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>May arrange for an on-site evaluation; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Director shall recommend to the Secretary a decision regarding deemed status, based on:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Comparison of the standards used by the accreditation body with the requirements outlined in COMAR 10.21.17, 10.21.21, 10.21.22, and this chapter; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The results of an on-site evaluation, if any.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Decision Regarding Deemed Status. Based on the evaluation of the request for deemed status conducted under §B of this regulation, within 45 calendar days of completion of the evaluation, the Secretary shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Decide, whether to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Grant deemed status;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Grant deemed status with conditions, which may include evaluation by the Department's designated licensure unit; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Propose to deny deemed status; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Send notice of the proposed decision to the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Department's designated licensure unit;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Governing body;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Group home director;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Administration; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>As applicable, either the CSA director or health officer.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Proposal to Deny Deemed Status.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If the Secretary proposes to deny approval of deemed status, the Secretary shall give written notice of the proposed denial to those listed in §C(2) of this regulation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In the notice under §D(1) of this regulation, the Secretary shall include:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The date that the Secretary proposes to deny approval of deemed status;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Location, including street address, to which the proposed denial applies;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The facts that warrant the proposed denial; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Notification that, before the denial, the program has a right to a hearing.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Upon receipt of the notice under §D(2) of this regulation, the chairman of the governing body may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Withdraw the request for deemed status; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Request an on-site review for approval by the Department's designated licensure unit.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the governing body does not take the action under §D(3) of this regulation and if, after notice and opportunity to be heard, the Secretary denies approval of deemed status, the Director shall notify the governing body that, unless the program elects not to seek approval, the Department's designated approval unit shall conduct an on-site review for the purpose of granting or denying a license.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>