The Florida Senate

394.879  Rules; enforcement.--

(1)  The department, in consultation with the agency, shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of this chapter, including, at a minimum, rules providing standards to ensure that:

(a)  Sufficient numbers and types of qualified personnel are on duty and available at all times to provide necessary and adequate client safety and care.

(b)  Adequate space is provided each client of a licensed facility.

(c)  Licensed facilities are limited to an appropriate number of beds.

(d)  Each licensee establishes and implements adequate infection control, housekeeping, sanitation, disaster planning, and medical recordkeeping.

(e)  Licensed facilities are established, organized, and operated in accordance with programmatic standards of the department.

(f)  The operation and purposes of these facilities assure individuals' health, safety, and welfare.

(2)  Minimum firesafety standards shall be established and enforced by the State Fire Marshal in cooperation with the department. Such standards shall be included in the rule adopted by the department after consultation with the State Fire Marshal.

(3)  The department, in consultation with the agency, shall allow any licensed facility in operation at the time of adoption of any rule a reasonable period, not to exceed 1 year, to bring itself into compliance with such rule.

(4)  The agency may impose an administrative penalty of no more than $500 per day against any licensee that violates any rule adopted pursuant to this section and may suspend or revoke the license or deny the renewal application of such licensee. In imposing such penalty, the agency shall consider the severity of the violation, actions taken by the licensee to correct the violation, and previous violations by the licensee. Fines collected under this subsection shall be deposited in the Mental Health Facility Licensing Trust Fund.

(5)  The agency or the department may not adopt any rule governing the design, construction, erection, alteration, modification, repair, or demolition of crisis stabilization units. It is the intent of the Legislature to preempt that function to the Florida Building Commission and the State Fire Marshal through adoption and maintenance of the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. However, the agency shall provide technical assistance to the commission and the State Fire Marshal in updating the construction standards of the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code which govern crisis stabilization units. In addition, the agency may enforce the special-occupancy provisions of the Florida Building Code and the Florida Fire Prevention Code which apply to crisis stabilization units in conducting any inspection authorized under this part.

History.--ss. 6, 11, ch. 85-167; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 5, ch. 98-152; s. 31, ch. 98-171; s. 98, ch. 98-200; s. 20, ch. 2000-141; s. 34, ch. 2001-186; s. 3, ch. 2001-372.