(a)
The purpose of this chapter is to require licensure of home health agencies in order to protect the health and safety of the people of California.
(b)
All organizations that provide skilled nursing services to patients in the home shall obtain a home health agency license issued by the department.
(c)
The department shall establish high standards of quality for home health agencies and ensure that unlicensed entities are not providing skilled nursing services in the home, except as set forth in Section 1726.
(d)
The department shall require that the appropriate field staff be informed of the proper protocols and procedures to document, report, and investigate reported incidents of unlicensed facilities providing skilled nursing services in the home in order to protect public health and to facilitate statewide consistency in documenting and investigating those entities.