CA Health & Safety Code Section 1569.47

(a)

“Placement agency” means any county welfare department, county social service department, county mental health department, county public guardian, general acute care hospital discharge planner or coordinator, state-funded program or private agency providing placement or referral services, conservator pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 1800) of Division 4 of the Probate Code, conservator pursuant to Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 5350) of Part 1 of Division 5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and regional center for persons with developmental disabilities which is engaged in finding homes or other places for the placement of elderly persons for temporary or permanent care.

(b)

A placement agency shall not place individuals in licensed residential care facilities for the elderly when the individual, because of his or her health condition, cannot be cared for within the limits of the license or requires inpatient care in a health facility. Violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.

(c)

A placement agency or employee of a placement agency shall not place, refer, or recommend placement of a person in a facility providing care and supervision, or protective supervision, unless the facility is licensed as a residential care facility for the elderly or is exempt from licensing under Section 1569.145. Violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.

(d)

Any employee of a placement agency who knows, or reasonably suspects, that a facility which is not exempt from licensing is operating without a license shall report the name and address of the facility to the department. Failure to report as required by this subdivision is a misdemeanor.

(e)

The department shall investigate any report filed under subdivision (d). If the department has probable cause to believe that the facility which is the subject of the report is operating without a license, the department shall investigate the facility within 10 days after receipt of the report.

(f)

A placement agency shall notify the appropriate licensing agency of any known or suspected incidents which would jeopardize the health or safety of residents in a residential care facility for the elderly. Reportable incidents include, but are not limited to, all of the following:

(1)

Incidents of physical abuse.

(2)

Any violation of personal rights.

(3)

Any situation in which a facility is unclean, unsafe, unsanitary, or in poor condition.

(4)

Any situation in which a facility has insufficient personnel or incompetent personnel on duty.

(5)

Any situation in which residents experience mental or verbal abuse.