A.R.S. § 36-447.03: Surveys; statement of deficiencies; initiation of complaint investigations; time frames; record retention

A. Beginning July 1, 2027, the department shall issue any statement of deficiencies to a nursing care institution within ten business days after completing the state survey. Notwithstanding the date that the statement of deficiencies is issued, the nursing care institution shall comply with the statement of deficiencies and submit a plan of correction to the department.

B. In conducting a compliance inspection or initial complaint investigation, the department may not consider or investigate any alleged violation that occurred more than twelve months before the date that the complaint was submitted to the department.

C. The department may initiate a complaint investigation for incidents that occurred more than twelve months before the date the complaint was submitted if the complaint involves an allegation of abuse as defined in section 13-3623.

D. If records that are maintained pursuant to article 4 of this chapter have been lawfully destroyed pursuant to retention requirements, the department may not cite the licensee for failure to produce the records for an investigation initiated more than twelve months after the alleged basis of the incident occurred.

E. The department shall initiate complaint investigations relating to nursing care institutions consistent with the centers for medicare and medicaid services time frames based on the triaged severity level of each complaint.