Alaska Statutes: AS 47.32.140. Enforcement Actions.

Alaska Statutes. Title 47. Welfare, Social Services and Institutions Chapter 32. Centralized Licensing and Related Administrative Procedures Section 140. Enforcement Actions.

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AS 47.32.140. Enforcement Actions.

(a) If the department's report of investigation or inspection under AS 47.32.120 concludes that the department has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of an applicable statute or regulation has occurred, the department shall provide notice to the entity of the violation and an opportunity to cure the violation within a reasonable time specified by the department. The notice must include a copy of the department's report under AS 47.32.120 , a statement that the entity may submit a written response to the report, any department requirement that the entity submit a written response to the report, a description of any enforcement action the department intends to take under (d) or (f) of this section, and information regarding the entity's appeal rights.
(b) An entity receiving a notice under (a) of this section, or a notice under AS 47.32.130 (b)(2) that contains the information specified in AS 47.32.130 (b)(2)(B), shall submit a plan of correction to the department for approval. Once it has cured its violations, the entity shall submit to the department an allegation of compliance. Upon receipt of the allegation of compliance, the department may conduct a follow-up investigation or inspection to determine compliance. The department may take one or more enforcement actions under (d) and (f) of this section regardless of whether the entity achieves compliance under this subsection.
(c) If the department believes that an entity has not voluntarily corrected the violation or entered into a plan of correction with the approval of the department, the department may require that the entity participate in a plan of correction under regulations of the department. Once the entity has cured its violations, it shall submit to the department an allegation of compliance. Upon receipt of the allegation of compliance, the department may conduct a follow-up investigation or inspection to determine compliance. The department may take one or more enforcement actions under (d) and (f) of this section regardless of whether the entity achieves compliance under this subsection.
(d) The department may take one or more of the following enforcement actions under this section:

(1) delivery of a warning notice to the licensed entity and to any additional person who was the subject of the investigation or inspection;

(2) modification of the term or scope of the entity's existing license, including changing a biennial license to a provisional license or adding a condition to the license;

(3) suspension of the entity's operations for a period of time set by the department;

(4) suspension of or a ban on the entity's provision of services to individuals not already receiving services from the entity for a period of time set by the department;

(5) nonrenewal of the entity's license;

(6) revocation of the entity's license or, if the entity is not licensed under this chapter, revocation of the entity's ability to become licensed under this chapter;

(7) issuance of an order requiring closure, immediate or otherwise, of the entity regardless of whether the entity is licensed or unlicensed;

(8) denial of payments under AS 47.07 for the entity's provision of services to an individual not already receiving services from the entity;

(9) assumption of either temporary or permanent management of the entity or pursuit of a court-ordered receiver for the entity;

(10) reduction of the number of individuals receiving services from the entity under the license;

(11) imposition of a penalty authorized under law;

(12) inclusion in the registry established under AS 47.05.330 ;

(13) requirement that the entity prepare and submit a plan of correction.
(e) The department may not take action under (d)(9) of this section unless the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that continued management by the entity while the entity is attempting to cure a violation would be injurious to the health, safety, or welfare of an individual who is receiving a service from the entity.
(f) In addition to any other enforcement actions the department may take under this section, the department may assess a civil fine against an entity for a violation of an applicable statute or regulation, taking into account the type and size of the entity and the type and severity of the violation. A fine assessed under this subsection may not exceed $2,500 a day for each day of violation for a continuing violation or $25,000 for a single violation.
(g) An entity to which a notice has been provided under this section regarding an enforcement action under (d) or (f) of this section may appeal the department's decision to impose the enforcement action by filing a written request for a hearing, on a form provided by the department, within 15 days after receipt of the notice of the enforcement action.
(h) An enforcement action under (d) or (f) of this section may not be imposed until

(1) the time period for requesting a hearing under AS 47.32.130 (c) or under (g) of this section, as applicable, has passed without a hearing being requested; or

(2) a final agency decision has been issued following a hearing requested under AS 47.32.130 (c) or under (g) of this section, as applicable.
(i) If a hearing is not timely requested under AS 47.32.130 (c) or under (g) of this section, as applicable, the department's notice regarding an enforcement action under (d) or (f) of this section constitutes a final administrative order. The department may seek the court's assistance in enforcing the final administrative order.
(j) An entity against which an enforcement action under (d) or (f) of this section has been taken may not apply for a license or license renewal until after the time period set by the department in its final administrative order under AS 47.32.130 (c), this section, or AS 47.32.150 , as applicable. If a time period has not been set, a final administrative order against the entity has the effect of a permanent revocation, and the entity may not apply for a license or license renewal. If the ownership, control, or management of an entity changes, the department may allow the entity to seek licensure if the entity submits documents showing the change.
(k) Assessment of a civil fine under this section does not preclude imposition of a criminal penalty under AS 47.32.170 .

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