CA AB784

Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to conduct appeal hearings for nursing facility residents denied readmission after hospitalization, with the State Department of Public Health bound by the department's decision.

Establishes civil penalties starting at $100 per day (increasing to $500 by day five) against facilities that refuse to readmit residents after an appeal order, up to $100,000 total, or $1,000 per day (up to $150,000) for facilities with prior violations.

Allows the State Department of Health Care Services to withhold Medi-Cal reimbursements to collect penalties and permits both departments to request the Attorney General seek injunctive relief and damages against non-compliant facilities.

Permits implementation of these provisions through letters, provider bulletins, or similar instructions without formal rulemaking.

Establishes protections for hospitalized nursing facility residents' continuity of placement by enforcing state and federal bed hold requirements during appeals.