Minnesota Nursing Home Inspection Violation Fines
Fines for violations. According to Minnesota Statute 144A.10, Subd. 6, fines. A nursing home which is issued a notice of noncompliance with a correction order shall be assessed a civil fine in accordance with a schedule of fines established by the commissioner of health before December 1, 1983. In establishing the schedule of fines, the commissioner shall consider the potential for harm presented to any resident as a result of noncompliance with each statute or rule. The fine shall be assessed for each day the facility remains in noncompliance and until a notice of correction is received by the commissioner of health in accordance with subdivision 7. No fine for a specific violation may exceed $500 per day of noncompliance.
Subd. 6a. [Repealed, 1989 c 155 s 5]
Subd. 6b. Fines for federal certification deficiencies. If the commissioner determines that a nursing home or certified boarding care home does not meet a requirement of section 1919(b), (c), or (d), of the Social Security Act, or any regulation adopted under that section of the Social Security Act, the nursing home or certified boarding care home may be assessed a civil fine for each day of noncompliance and until a notice of correction is received by the commissioner under subdivision 7. Money collected because of these fines must be applied to the protection of the health or property of residents of nursing facilities the commissioner finds deficient. A fine for a specific deficiency may not exceed $500 for each day of noncompliance. The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing a schedule of fines.
Subd. 6c. Overlap of fines. If a nursing home is subject to fines under both subdivisions 6 and 6b for the same requirement, condition, situation, or practice, the commissioner shall assess either the fine provided by subdivision 6 or the fine provided by subdivision 6b.
Subd. 6d. Schedule of fines. (a) The schedule of fines for noncompliance with correction orders issued to nursing homes that was adopted under the provisions of section 144A.10, subdivision 6, and in effect on May 1, 1989, is effective until repealed, modified, or superseded by rule.
(b) By September 1, 1990, the commissioner shall amend the schedule of fines to increase to $250 the fines for violations of section 144.651, subdivisions 18, 20, 21, 22, 27, and 30, and for repeated violations.
(c) The commissioner shall adopt rules establishing the schedule of fines for deficiencies in the requirements of section 1919(b), (c), and (d), of the Social Security Act, or regulations adopted under that section of the Social Security Act.
Subd. 6e. Use of fines. When the commissioner of health determines the use of, or provides recommendations on the use of fines collected under subdivision 6 or 6b, two representatives of the nursing home industry, appointed by nursing home trade associations, and two consumer representatives as appointed by the commissioner must be included in the process of developing or preparing any information, reviews, or recommendations on the use of the fines. This includes, but is not limited to, including two representatives of the nursing home industry in any committee designed to provide information and recommendations for the use of the fines.
More Information on Fines for Violations
Subd. 7. Accumulation of fines. A nursing home shall promptly notify the commissioner of health in writing when a violation noted in a notice of noncompliance is corrected. Upon receipt of written notification by the commissioner of health, the daily fine assessed for the deficiency shall stop accruing. The facility shall be reinspected within three working days after receipt of the notification. If upon reinspection the representative of the commissioner of health determines that a deficiency has not been corrected as indicated by the notification of compliance the daily fine assessment shall resume and the amount of fines which otherwise would have accrued during the period prior to resumption shall be added to the total assessment due from the nursing home. The commissioner of health shall notify the nursing home of the resumption by certified mail. The nursing home may challenge the resumption as a contested case in accordance with the provisions of chapter 14. Recovery of the resumed fine shall be stayed if a controlling person or a legal representative on behalf of the nursing home makes a written request for a hearing on the resumption within 15 days of receipt of the notice of resumption. The cost of a reinspection conducted pursuant to this subdivision shall be added to the total assessment due from the nursing home.
Subd. 8. Recovery of fines; hearing. Fines assessed under this section shall be payable 15 days after receipt of the notice of noncompliance and at 15-day intervals thereafter, as the fines accrue. Recovery of an assessed fine shall be stayed if a controlling person or a legal representative on behalf of the nursing home makes a written request for a hearing on the notice of noncompliance within 15 days after the home’s receipt of the notice. A hearing under this subdivision shall be conducted as a contested case in accordance with chapter 14. If a nursing home, after notice and opportunity for hearing on the notice of noncompliance, or on the resumption of the fine, does not pay a properly assessed fine in accordance with this subdivision, the commissioner of health shall notify the commissioner of human services who shall deduct the amount from reimbursement moneys due or to be due the facility under chapter 256B. The commissioner of health may consolidate the hearings provided for in subdivisions 7 and 8 in cases in which a facility has requested hearings under both provisions. The hearings provided for in subdivisions 7 and 8 shall be held within 30 days after the request for the hearing. If a consolidated hearing is held, it shall be held within 30 days of the request which occurred last.
Subd. 8a. Fine for misallocation of nursing staff. Upon issuing a correction order to a nursing home under subdivision 4 for a violation of Minnesota Rules, part 4655.5600, because of nursing staff performing duties such as washing wheelchairs or beds of discharged residents, or other housekeeping or laundry duties not related to the direct nursing care of residents, the commissioner shall impose a civil fine of $500 per day. A fine under this subdivision accrues in accordance with subdivision 6 and is subject to subdivision 8 for purposes of recovery and hearings.
For the rest of Minnesota Statute 144A.10 click here.
Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorney Kenneth LaBore has decades of experience and handles the following types of elder abuse claims and others:
Infectious Diseases (MRSA, C-Diff)
Patient Lift Injuries and Other Improper Use of Medical Equipment
For a Free Consultation to obtain information on how to hold negligent wrongdoers accountable from an experienced attorney contact Minneapolis Elder Abuse Neglect Attorney Kenneth LaBore at 612-743-9048 or Toll Free at 1-888-452-6589, email: KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com.