Skilled nursing facilities: intermediate care facilities: liability.

Existing law authorizes a current or former resident or patient of a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility, as defined, to bring a civil action against the licensee of a facility who violates any of specified rights of the resident or patient or any other right provided for by federal or state law or regulation. Existing law makes the licensee liable for up to $500. Existing case law interpreting that provision held that the $500 limit on civil damages applies to each action and not to each violation. This bill would also authorize the legal representative, personal representative, or successor in interest of a current or former resident or patient of a skilled nursing facility or intermediate care facility to bring that civil action. The bill, for violations that occur on or after March 1, 2021, would make the licensee liable for up to $500 per violation and would prescribe required factors to be considered in assessing the amount of the damages, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of each violation.