The Florida Senate

651.106  Grounds for discretionary refusal, suspension, or revocation of certificate of authority.--The office, in its discretion, may deny, suspend, or revoke the provisional certificate of authority or the certificate of authority of any applicant or provider if it finds that any one or more of the following grounds applicable to the applicant or provider exist:

(1)  Failure by the provider to continue to meet the requirements for the authority originally granted.

(2)  Failure by the provider to meet one or more of the qualifications for the authority specified by this chapter.

(3)  Material misstatement, misrepresentation, or fraud in obtaining the authority, or in attempting to obtain the same.

(4)  Demonstrated lack of fitness or trustworthiness.

(5)  Fraudulent or dishonest practices of management in the conduct of business.

(6)  Misappropriation, conversion, or withholding of moneys.

(7)  Failure to comply with, or violation of, any proper order or rule of the office or commission or violation of any provision of this chapter.

(8)  The insolvent condition of the provider or the provider's being in such condition or using such methods and practices in the conduct of its business as to render its further transactions in this state hazardous or injurious to the public.

(9)  Refusal by the provider to be examined or to produce its accounts, records, and files for examination, or refusal by any of its officers to give information with respect to its affairs or to perform any other legal obligation under this chapter when required by the office.

(10)  Failure by the provider to comply with the requirements of s. 651.026 or s. 651.033

(11)  Failure by the provider to maintain escrow accounts or funds as required by this chapter.

(12)  Failure by the provider to meet the requirements of this chapter for disclosure of information to residents concerning the facility, its ownership, its management, its development, or its financial condition or failure to honor its continuing care contracts.

(13)  Any cause for which issuance of the license could have been refused had it then existed and been known to the office.

(14)  Having been found guilty of, or having pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony in this state or any other state, without regard to whether a judgment or conviction has been entered by the court having jurisdiction of such cases.

(15)  In the conduct of business under the license, engaging in unfair methods of competition or in unfair or deceptive acts or practices prohibited under part IX of chapter 626.

(16)  A pattern of bankrupt enterprises.

Revocation of a certificate of authority under this section does not relieve a provider from the provider's obligation to residents under the terms and conditions of any continuing care contract between the provider and residents or the provisions of this chapter. The provider shall continue to file its annual statement and pay license fees to the office as required under this chapter as if the certificate of authority had continued in full force, but the provider shall not issue any new continuing care contracts. The office may seek an action in the circuit court of Leon County to enforce the office's order and the provisions of this section.

History.--ss. 15, 25, ch. 81-292; s. 3, ch. 83-265; ss. 18, 33, 35, ch. 83-328; s. 37, ch. 85-62; s. 7, ch. 86-209; s. 11, ch. 91-98; s. 12, ch. 93-22; s. 18, ch. 97-229; s. 12, ch. 2001-64; s. 1685, ch. 2003-261.