31-7-175. Administration of article.

The administration of this article is vested in the Department of Community Health which shall:#

1. (1)

   Prepare and furnish all forms necessary under the provisions of this article in relation to the application for licensure or renewals thereof;#

2. (2)

   After consultation with appropriate public interest groups, adopt rules within the standards of this article necessary to effect the purposes of this article; and#

3. (3)

   Establish comprehensive rules and regulations for the licensure of hospices.#

Rules promulgated by the department shall include but not be limited to the following:#

1. (1)

   The qualifications of professional and ancillary personnel in order to furnish adequate hospice care;#

2. (2)

   Comprehensive standards for the organization and quality of patient care;#

3. (3)

   Procedures for maintaining records;#

4. (4)

   Comprehensive standards for inpatient facilities, to include specifications that the hospice retain primary responsibility for the coordination of inpatient hospice care;#

5. (5)

   Provision for contractual arrangements for professional and ancillary hospice services; and#

6. (6)

   Provisions for the imposition of administrative fines for any violations of any provisions of this article or of department rules or regulations.#