(a)
Notwithstanding Sections 1743.9 and 1743.15, if a private duty nursing agency or an applicant for a license has been previously licensed as a home health agency, the department may issue a provisional license to the private duty nursing agency if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1)
The agency and the applicant for licensure substantially meet the standards specified by this chapter and regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(2)
No violation of this chapter or regulations adopted under this chapter exists in the agency that jeopardizes the health or safety of patients.
(3)
The applicant has adopted a plan for correction of any existing violations that is satisfactory to the department.
(b)
A provisional license issued under this section shall expire not later than six months after the date of issuance, or at an earlier time as determined by the department at the time of issuance, and may not be renewed.
(c)
The department shall not apply less stringent criteria when granting a provisional license pursuant to this section than it applies when granting a permanent license.