California § 1507.35 - Notwithstanding any other law, a group home for children with special health care

§ 1507.35. Notwithstanding any other law, a group home for children with special health care

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a group home for children with special health care needs, as defined in paragraph (22) of subdivision (a) of Section 1502, may allow a client who has been diagnosed as terminally ill by their physician or surgeon to remain in the facility, or allow a person who has been diagnosed as terminally ill by their physician and surgeon to be placed in the facility if that person is already receiving hospice services and would continue to receive hospice services without disruption if they became a client, if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The services of a hospice certified in accordance with federal Medicare conditions of participation and licensed pursuant to Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 1725) or Chapter 8.5 (commencing with Section 1745) have been obtained for the terminally ill client, or the terminally ill child to be accepted as a client, and approved by the authorized representative. (2) The facility, in the judgment of an individual who has the right to make legal decisions on behalf of the client, has the ability to provide care and supervision appropriate to meet the needs of the terminally ill client, or the terminally ill child to be accepted as a client, and is in substantial compliance with regulations governing the operation of a group home for children with special health care needs. (3) The hospice has agreed to design and provide for care, services, and necessary medical intervention related to the terminal illness as necessary to supplement the care and supervision provided by the facility. (4) An agreement has been executed between the facility and the hospice regarding the care plan for the terminally ill client, or the terminally ill child to be accepted as a client. The care plan shall designate the primary caregiver, identify other caregivers, and outline the tasks the facility is responsible for performing and the approximate frequency with which they shall be performed. The care plan shall specifically limit the facility’s role for care and supervision to those tasks authorized for a residential facility under this chapter. (b) If the licensed hospice, the facility, or the authorized representative of the terminally ill client determines that the client’s condition has changed so that continued residence in the facility will pose a threat to the health and safety of the terminally ill client or any other client, the facility may initiate procedures for removal or discharge. (c) This section does not expand the scope of care and supervision for a group home for children with special health care needs and a facility shall not be required to alter or extend its license in order to retain a terminally ill client, or allow a terminally ill child to become accepted as a client of the facility, as authorized by this section. (d) This section does not require any care or supervision to be provided by the group home for children with special health care needs beyond that which is permitted in this chapter. (e) The department shall not be responsible for the evaluation of medical services provided to the client by the hospice and shall not have liability for the independent acts of the hospice. (f) This section does not relieve a group home for children with special health care needs of its responsibility, for purposes of allowing a client who has been diagnosed as terminally ill to remain in the facility, to do both of the following: (1) With regard to any client who is bedridden, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1566.45, to, within 48 hours of the client’s retention in the facility, notify the local fire authority with jurisdiction in the bedridden client’s location of the estimated length of time the client will retain their bedridden status in the facility. (2) Secure a fire clearance approval from the city or county fire department, fire district, or any other local agency providing fire protection services, or the State Fire Marshal, whichever has primary fire protection jurisdiction.