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BILL TO CONTROL RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR ELDERLY GAZETTED
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THE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) BILL PROVIDES FOR THE CONTROL OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES FOR ELDERLY PERSONS THROUGH A LICENSING SYSTEM TO BE ADMINISTERED BY THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE HEALTH AND WELFARE BRANCH SAID TODAY (FRIDAY).
THE BILL, GAZETTED TODAY, WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON NOVEMBER 3.
"ANY PREMISES AT WHICH MORE THAN FIVE PERSONS WHO HAVE ATTAINED THE AGE OF 60 YEARS ARE HABITUALLY RECEIVED FOR THE PURPOSES OF CARE WILL COME UNDER THIS BILL, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.
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IN OTHER WORDS, IT WILL APPLY TO ALL SUBVENTED, NON-PROFIT- MAKING, AND PRIVATE RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES, HE ADDED.
THE BILL ALSO EMPOWERS THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE TO ISSUE OR RENEW A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION TO AN EXISTING RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME UPON THE OPERATOR'S APPLICATION.
APPEALS AGAINST THE DECISIONS OF THE DIRECTOR COULD BE MADE то AN APPEAL BOARD APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.
ANY PERSON WHO OPERATES A RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME WITHOUT A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, OR OPERATES A RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME IN CONTRAVENTION OF THE CONDITIONS OF A LICENCE OR A CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION, PROVIDES FALSE INFORMATION IN AN APPLICATION, OR OBSTRUCTS INSPECTION, COMMITS AN OFFENCE.
ANY PERSON WHO COMMITS ANY OF THESE OFFENCES IS LIABLE то A FINE OF $100,000 AND TO IMPRISONMENT FOR TWO YEARS AND TO A FINE OF $10,000 FOR EACH DAY DURING WHICH THE OFFENCE CONTINUES.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID
THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL COULD MAKE REGULATIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE BILL.
ΤΟ ENSURE THE PROPER MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES, THE DRAFT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) REGULATION SPECIFIES REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE REGISTRATION OF HEALTH WORKERS, THE DUTIES OF OPERATORS, THE DUTIES OF HOME MANAGERS, SPACE AND STAFFING, LOCATION AND DESIGN, AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES.
PROVISION IS MADE FOR APPEALS AND RELATED PROCEDURES IN THE DRAFT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES (ELDERLY PERSONS) (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATION, HE ADDED.
THE LEGISLATION WILL ENSURE THAT RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES PROVIDE SERVICES OF A REASONABLE STANDARD ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMMUNITY OF HONG KONG.
"NEW HOMES WHICH CANNOT MEET THE LICENSING STANDARDS WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM ENTERING THE MARKET, HE SAID.
THE BOUGHT PLACE SCHEME WILL BE EXPANDED TO ACCOMMODATE ELDERLY PERSONS AFFECTED BY THE CONTROL SCHEME, THE SPOKESMAN NOTED.
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