Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §7802, sub-§1, ¶E, as amended by PL 1995, c. 670, Pt. B, §6 and affected by Pt. D, §5, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:

E.__A 2-year full license may be issued by the department for a residential care facility or a congregate housing service program as long as it is in substantial compliance with licensing rules and has no history of health or safety violations.

Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §7802, sub-§2, ¶D, as amended by PL 1983, c. 602, §2, is further amended to read:

D. Regardless of the term of the license or approval, the The department shall monitor inspect for continued compliance with applicable laws and rules on at least an annual basis prior to the expiration of the license or approval.

Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §7802, sub-§2, ¶E is enacted to read:

E.__Residential care facilities and congregate housing services programs for which a license has been issued must be periodically inspected for continued compliance with applicable laws and rules under the rules to be established by the department.__Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A.

SUMMARY

This bill makes it possible for the Division of Licensing and Certification of the Department of Human Services to extend the licensing period up to 2 years for residential care facilities and to allow flexibility with scheduling of surveys instead of requiring annual surveys in all cases.