(a) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this section to authorize the department to take quick, effective action to protect the health and safety of residents of residential care facilities for the elderly and to minimize the effects of transfer trauma that accompany the abrupt transfer of residents through a system whereby the department may apply for a court order appointing a receiver to temporarily operate a residential care facility for the elderly. The receivership is not intended to punish a licensee or to replace attempts to secure cooperative action to protect the residentsâ health and safety. The receivership is intended to protect the residents in the absence of other reasonably available alternatives. The receiver shall assume the operation of the facility in order to bring it into compliance with law, facilitate a transfer of ownership to a new licensee, or ensure the orderly transfer of residents should the facility be required to close. (b) (1) Whenever circumstances exist indicating that continued management of a residential care facility by the current licensee would present a substantial probability or imminent danger of serious physical harm or death to the residents, or the facility is closing or intends to terminate operation as a residential care facility for the elderly and adequate arrangements for the relocation of residents have not been made at least 30 days prior to the closing or termination, the director may petition the superior court for the county in which the facility is located for an order appointing a receiver to temporarily operate the facility in accordance with this section. (2) The petition shall allege the facts upon which the action is based and shall be supported by an affidavit of the director. A copy of the petition and affidavit together with an order to appear and show cause why temporary authority to operate the residential care facility for the elderly should not be vested in a receiver pursuant to this section, shall be delivered to the licensee, administrator, or a responsible person at the facility to the attention of the licensee and administrator. The order shall specify a hearing date, which shall be not less than 10, nor more than 15, days following delivery of the petition and order upon the licensee, except that the court may shorten or lengthen the time upon a showing of just cause. (c) (1) If the director files a petition pursuant to subdivision (b) for appointment of a receiver to operate a residential care facility for the elderly, in accordance with Section 564 of the Code of Civil Procedure, the director may also petition the court, in accordance with Section 527 of the Code of Civil Procedure, for an order appointing a temporary receiver. A temporary receiver appointed by the court pursuant to this subdivision shall serve until the court has made a final determination on the petition for appointment of a receiver filed pursuant to subdivision (b). A receiver appointed pursuant to this subdivision shall have the same powers and duties as a receiver would have if appointed pursuant to subdivision (b). Upon the director filing a petition for a receiver, the receiver shall complete its application for a provisional license to operate a residential care facility for the elderly. For purposes of a provisional license issued to a receiver, the licenseeâs existing fire safety clearance shall serve as the fire safety clearance for the receiverâs provisional license. (2) At the time of the hearing, the department shall advise the licensee of the name of the proposed receiver. The receiver shall be a certified residential care facility for the elderly administrator or other responsible person or entity, as determined by the court, from a list of qualified receivers established by the department, and, if need be, with input from providers of residential care and consumer representatives. Persons appearing on the list shall have experience in the delivery o
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