173.13 Continuing care facility residents' rights. - Ohio Statutes

173.13 Continuing care facility residents' rights.

(A) As used in this section:

(1) “Continuing care” means the provision under a written agreement of board, lodging, medical services, nursing, and other health-related services to a person sixty years of age or older, unrelated by consanguinity or affinity to the provider, for the life of the person or for a period in excess of one year in return for the payment of an entrance fee or of periodic charges.

(2) “Entrance fee” means an initial or deferred payment of a sum of money or other property made or promised to be made by or on behalf of a person entering into a written agreement with a facility for the provision of continuing care services in consideration for acceptance of the person as a resident in the facility.

(B) The residents of a facility that provides continuing care may determine annually whether they wish to elect a resident of the facility to serve on the board of directors, board of trustees, or other board that operates the facility. Election of a resident to serve on the board shall be by a simple majority vote of all residents attending a meeting called to determine if residents of the facility wish to have representation on the board. The individual organizing the meeting shall give residents at least seven days’ notice of the meeting. A board to which a resident is elected under this section shall accept the resident as a nonvoting member and give him notice of and permit him to attend all meetings of the board.

(C) Every facility that provides continuing care shall, upon request, provide its residents and prospective residents with copies of any of its audited annual financial reports.

(D) Residents of facilities that provide continuing care shall have the right of self-organization.

(E) Each board of directors, board of trustees, or other board that operates a facility that provides continuing care, or a committee of the board, shall hold meetings at least quarterly with the residents of the facility, or with a committee of the residents, for the purpose of discussing facility income, expenditures, and financial matters and proposed changes in facility policies, programs, and services. The board shall give residents or the committee of residents at least seven days’ notice of each such meeting.

(F) A resident of a facility that provides continuing care may bring a civil action to enforce any of the rights granted under this section.

Effective Date: 10-20-1987