Inspection; right of entry; classification of violations; records.

(1)(a) An authorized agent of the department may conduct announced or unannounced inspections, at any time, of a licensed service provider to determine whether it is in compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, including, but not limited to, the minimum requirements for licensure in s. 397.410.

(b) An authorized agent of the department may, with the permission of the person in charge of the premises or pursuant to a warrant, enter and inspect any unlicensed service provider it reasonably suspects to be operating in violation of any provision of this chapter.

(c) An application for licensure as a service provider under this chapter constitutes full permission for an authorized agent of the department to enter and inspect the premises of such service provider at any time.

(2) The department shall accept, in lieu of its own inspections for licensure, the survey or inspection of an accrediting organization, if the provider is accredited according to the provisions of s. 394.741 and the department receives the report of the accrediting organization.

(3) Notwithstanding the confidentiality provisions of this chapter, a designated and authorized agent of the department may access the records of the individuals served by licensed service providers, but only for purposes of licensing, monitoring, and investigation. The department may interview individuals, as specified by rule.

(4) The authorized agents of the department may schedule periodic inspections of licensed service providers in order to minimize costs and the disruption of services; however, such authorized agents may inspect the facilities of any licensed service provider at any time.

(5) In an effort to coordinate inspections among agencies, the department shall notify applicable state agencies of any scheduled licensure inspections of service providers jointly funded by the agencies.

(6) The department shall maintain as public information, available to any person upon request and upon payment of a reasonable charge for copying, copies of licensure reports of licensed providers.

(7) Violations of this part or applicable rules shall be classified according to the nature of the violation and the gravity of its probable effect on an individual receiving substance abuse treatment. Violations shall be classified on the written notice as follows:

(a) Class “I” violations are those conditions or occurrences related to the operation and maintenance of a service component or to the treatment of an individual which the department determines present an imminent danger or a substantial probability that death or serious physical or emotional harm would result therefrom. The condition or practice constituting a class I violation shall be abated or eliminated within 24 hours, unless a fixed period, as determined by the department, is required for correction. The department shall impose an administrative fine as provided by law for a cited class I violation. A fine shall be levied notwithstanding the correction of the violation.

(b) Class “II” violations are those conditions or occurrences related to the operation and maintenance of a service component or to the treatment of an individual which the department determines directly threaten the physical or emotional health, safety, or security of the individual, other than class I violations. The department shall impose an administrative fine as provided by law for a cited class II violation. A fine shall be levied notwithstanding the correction of the violation.

(c) Class “III” violations are those conditions or occurrences related to the operation and maintenance of a service component or to the treatment of an individual which the department determines indirectly or potentially threaten the physical or emotional health, safety, or security of the individual, other than class I or class II violations. The department shall impose an administrative fine as provided in this section for a cited class III violation. A citation for a class III violation must specify the time within which the violation is required to be corrected. If a class III violation is corrected within the time specified, a fine may not be imposed.

(d) Class “IV” violations are those conditions or occurrences related to the operation and maintenance of a service component or to required reports, forms, or documents that do not have the potential of negatively affecting an individual. These violations are of a type that the department determines do not threaten the health, safety, or security of an individual. The department shall impose an administrative fine as provided in this section for a cited class IV violation. A citation for a class IV violation must specify the time within which the violation is required to be corrected. If a class IV violation is corrected within the time specified, a fine may not be imposed.

(8) The department shall establish a mechanism for the imposition and collection of fines for violations under this section no later than January 1, 2024.