Licensure process; fees.

(1) The department shall establish the licensure process to include fees and categories of licenses and must prescribe a fee range that is based, at least in part, on the number and complexity of programs listed in s. 397.311(27) which are operated by a licensee. The fees from the licensure of service components are sufficient to cover the costs of regulating the service components. The department shall specify a fee range for public and privately funded licensed service providers. Fees for privately funded licensed service providers must exceed the fees for publicly funded licensed service providers.

(2) The department shall assess a fee of $100 per licensed service component for the late filing of an application for renewal of a license.

(3) Licensure and renewal fees must be deposited in the Operations and Maintenance Trust Fund to be used for the actual cost of monitoring, inspecting, and overseeing licensed service providers.

(4) Each application for licensure or renewal must be accompanied by the required fee, except that a service provider that has an all-volunteer staff is exempt from the licensure and renewal fees.

(5) Except as provided in paragraph (6)(b), the department shall conduct background screening, as provided in s. 397.4073, as part of the licensure application for all owners, directors, chief financial officers, and clinical supervisors of a service provider. If the results of the background screening indicate that the individual has been found guilty of, regardless of adjudication, or has entered a plea of nolo contendere or guilty to any offense prohibited under the screening standard, a license may not be issued to the applicant service provider unless an exemption from disqualification has been granted by the department as set forth in chapter 435. The individual has 90 days within which to obtain the required exemption, during which time the applicant’s license remains in effect.

(6)(a) The department may issue probationary, regular, and interim licenses. The department may issue one license for all service components operated by a service provider and defined pursuant to s. 397.311(27). The license is valid only for the specific service components listed for each specific location identified on the license. The licensed service provider must apply for the addition of any service components and obtain approval before initiating additional services. The licensed service provider must notify the department and provide any required documentation at least 30 days before the relocation of any of its service sites. Provision of service components or delivery of services at a location not identified on the license may be considered an unlicensed operation that authorizes the department to seek an injunction against operation as provided in s. 397.401, in addition to other sanctions authorized by s. 397.415. Probationary and regular licenses may be issued only after all required information has been submitted. A license may not be transferred. As used in this subsection, the term “transfer” means the transfer of a majority of the ownership interest in the licensed entity or transfer of responsibilities under the license to another entity by contractual arrangement.

(b) If 5 percent or more of the controlling ownership interest of a licensed entity is transferred to another person or entity, the department must require only a level 2 background screening pursuant to s. 397.4073 for officers, directors, managing members, and individuals who exercise operational control over the licensee on behalf of that person or entity.

(7)(a) Upon receipt of a complete application, payment of applicable fees, and a demonstration of substantial compliance with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, the department may issue a probationary license to a service provider applicant with services that are not yet fully operational. The department may not issue a probationary license when doing so would place the health, safety, or welfare of individuals at risk. Notwithstanding paragraph (b), a probationary license expires 90 days after issuance and may not be reissued. During the probationary period the department shall monitor the delivery of services. Notwithstanding s. 120.60(5), the department may order a probationary licensee to cease and desist operations at any time it is found to be substantially out of compliance with licensure standards. This cease-and-desist order is exempt from the requirements of s. 120.60(6).

(b) The department may not require an existing licensed service provider that is seeking to add one or more additional levels of care at an existing licensed location, or that is seeking to offer the same level of care at one or more of the service provider’s new locations that are currently licensed, to admit individuals for services during the probationary licensing period if the provider has no outstanding violations pursuant to s. 397.411(7) and the department has not taken any action against the provider’s existing license pursuant to s. 397.415 within the previous 12 months.

(8) A regular license may be issued to:

(a) A new applicant at the end of the probationary period.

(b) A licensed applicant that holds a regular license and is seeking renewal.

(c) An applicant for a service component operating under an interim license upon successful satisfaction of the requirements for a regular license.

In order to be issued a regular license, the applicant must be in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. An application for renewal of a regular license must be submitted to the department at least 60 days before the license expires. The department may deny a renewal application submitted fewer than 30 days before the license expires.

(9) The department may issue an interim license to a service provider for a period established by the department which does not exceed 90 days if the department finds that:

(a) A service component of the provider is in substantial noncompliance with licensure standards;

(b) The service provider has failed to provide satisfactory proof of conformance to fire, safety, or health requirements; or

(c) The service provider is involved in license suspension or revocation proceedings.

An interim license applies only to the licensable service component of the provider’s services which is in substantial noncompliance with statutory or regulatory requirements. An interim license expires 90 days after it is issued; however, it may be reissued once for an additional 90-day period in a case of extreme hardship in which the noncompliance is not attributable to the licensed service provider. If the service provider is appealing the final disposition of license suspension or revocation proceedings, the court before which the appeal is taken may order the extension of the interim license for a period specified in the order.

(10) The license must be displayed in a conspicuous place inside the facility providing the licensed service component.