ORS 443.775: Rules; level of care; exception to limit on residents with nursing care needs; reports on exceptions; provider duties; enforcement; civil penalties.

(1) The licensing agency shall adopt rules governing adult foster homes and the level of care provided in such homes, including the provision of care to more than one person with nursing care needs under specified conditions and agency approval, such as are necessary to protect the health, safety or welfare of the residents and to provide for an appropriate continuum of care, but shall not be inconsistent with the residential nature of the living accommodations and the family atmosphere of the home. The rules shall be consistent with rules adopted by the Oregon State Board of Nursing under ORS 678.150. (a) An exception to the limit of one resident with nursing care needs may be granted if the provider proves to the licensing agency by clear and convincing evidence that such an exception will not jeopardize the care, health, safety or welfare of the residents and that the provider is capable of meeting the additional care needs of the new resident. (b) The licensing agency, and the counties acting under the exemption granted pursuant to ORS 443.780, shall report on a quarterly basis to the Legislative Assembly on the number of exceptions granted during the quarter pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection. (2) The provider may not employ a resident manager who does not meet the classification standard for the adult foster home. (3) The provider shall be able to meet the night care needs of a resident before admitting the resident. The provider shall include night care needs in the resident’s care plan. (4) The provider shall screen a prospective resident before admitting the resident. The screening shall include but is not limited to diagnosis, medications, personal care needs, nursing care needs, night care needs, nutritional needs, activities and lifestyle preferences. A copy of the screening shall be given to the prospective resident or the prospective resident’s representative. (5) The licensing agency shall make rules to ensure that any employee who makes a complaint pursuant to ORS 443.755 shall be protected from retaliation. (6) For adult foster homes in which clients reside for whom the licensing agency pays for care, including homes in which the provider and the resident are related, the agency may require substantial compliance with its rules relating to standards for care of the client as a condition for paying for care. (7) By order the director of the licensing agency may delegate authority under this section to personnel other than of the licensing agency. (8) The licensing agency may commence a suit in equity to enjoin maintenance of an adult foster home if: (a) The home is operated without a valid license under this section; or (b) After the license to maintain the home is ordered suspended or revoked, a reasonable time for placement of residents in other facilities has been allowed but such placement has not been accomplished. (9) The licensing agency shall establish by rule the maximum capacity of adult foster homes, including all nonrelated and related persons receiving residential care and day care. (10) Except as provided in subsection (11) of this section: (a) The Department of Human Services may impose a civil penalty on any person who violates a provision of ORS 443.705 to 443.825, or the rules adopted under ORS 443.705 to 443.825, with regard to an adult foster home serving socially dependent individuals or individuals with physical disabilities. The department shall establish the amount of the penalty by rule, in an amount not less than $100 and not more than $250 per violation, or in the case of substantiated abuse, not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 per violation. (b) The department may impose a civil penalty on any person who violates a provision of ORS 443.705 to 443.825, or the rules adopted under ORS 443.705 to 443.825, with regard to an adult foster home not serving socially dependent individuals or individuals with physical disabilities. The department shall establish the amount of the penalty by rule, in an amount not to exceed $100 per violation, to a maximum of $250, or, per occurrence of substantiated abuse, to a maximum of $1,000. (c) The Oregon Health Authority may impose a civil penalty on any person who violates a provision of ORS 443.705 to 443.825, or the rules adopted under ORS 443.705 to 443.825. The authority shall establish the amount of the penalty by rule, in an amount not to exceed $100 per violation, to a maximum of $250, or, per occurrence of substantiated abuse, to a maximum of $1,000. (11)(a) If the licensing agency determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that abuse occurred in an adult foster home licensed by the licensing agency and if the abuse resulted in the death, serious injury, rape, sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a resident, the licensing agency shall impose a civil penalty on the adult foster home of not less than $2,500 for each violation. (b) This subsection does not apply to adult foster homes licensed by the licensing agency to serve only persons with mental illness or with alcohol or drug addiction. (c) The licensing agency shall by rule define “serious injury,” “rape,” “sexual abuse” and “sexual exploitation” for purposes of this subsection. (12) All penalties recovered pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Quality Care Fund established in ORS 443.001. [1983 c.629 §8; 1985 c.663 §7; 1987 c.369 §2; 1987 c.430 §2; 1987 c.431 §2; 1991 c.960 §9; 1995 c.667 §14; 2001 c.900 §191; 2009 c.535 §34; 2009 c.595 §791o; 2009 c.828 §90; 2017 c.679 §9; 2025 c.124 §29]