Approval of change in management.

(1) A contract with a management company entered into after July 1, 2019, must be in writing and include a provision that the contract will be canceled upon issuance of an order by the office pursuant to this section and without the application of a cancellation fee or penalty. If a provider contracts with a management company, a separate written contract is not required for the individual manager employed by the management company or contractor hired by the management company to oversee a facility. If a management company executes a contract with an individual manager or contractor, the contract is not required to be submitted to the office unless requested by the office.

(2) A provider shall notify the office, in writing or electronically, of any change in management within 10 business days. For each new management company or manager not employed by a management company, the provider shall submit to the office the information required by s. 651.022(2) and a copy of the written management contract, if applicable.

(3) For a provider that is found to be impaired or that has a regulatory action level event pending, the office may disapprove new management and order the provider to remove the new management after reviewing the information required under subsection (2).

(4) For a provider other than that specified in subsection (3), the office may disapprove new management and order the provider to remove the new management after receiving the required information under subsection (2), if the office:

(a) Finds that the new management is incompetent or untrustworthy;

(b) Finds that the new management is so lacking in managerial experience as to make the proposed operation hazardous to the residents or potential residents;

(c) Finds that the new management is so lacking in experience, ability, and standing as to jeopardize the reasonable promise of successful operation; or

(d) Has good reason to believe that the new management is affiliated directly or indirectly through ownership, control, or business relations with any person or persons whose business operations are or have been marked by manipulation of assets or accounts or by bad faith, to the detriment of residents, stockholders, investors, creditors, or the public.

(5) The office shall complete its review as required under subsections (3) and (4) and, if applicable, issue notice of disapproval of the new management within 30 business days after the filing is deemed complete. A filing is deemed complete upon the office’s receipt of all requested information and the provider’s correction of any error or omission for which the provider was timely notified. If the office does not issue notice of disapproval of the new management within 30 business days after the filing is deemed complete, the new management is deemed approved.

(6) Management disapproved by the office must be removed within 30 days after receipt by the provider of notice of such disapproval.

(7) The office may revoke, suspend, or take other administrative action against the certificate of authority of the provider if the provider:

(a) Fails to timely remove management disapproved by the office;

(b) Fails to timely notify the office of a change in management;

(c) Appoints new management without a written contract when a written contract is required under this section; or

(d) Repeatedly appoints management that was previously disapproved by the office or that is not approvable under subsection (4).

(8) The provider shall remove any management immediately upon discovery of either of the following conditions, if the conditions were not disclosed in the notice to the office required under subsection (2):

(a) That a manager has been found guilty of, or has pled guilty or no contest to, a felony charge, or has been held liable or has been enjoined in a civil action by final judgment, if the felony or civil action involved fraud, embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, or misappropriation of property.

(b) That a manager is now, or was in the past, affiliated, directly or indirectly, through ownership interest of 10 percent or more in, or control of, any business, corporation, or other entity that has been found guilty of or has pled guilty or no contest to a felony charge, or has been held liable or has been enjoined in a civil action by final judgment, if the felony or civil action involved fraud, embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, or misappropriation of property.

The failure to remove such management is grounds for revocation or suspension of the provider’s certificate of authority.