(a) Relocation is the closing of a facility and the movement of its residents to another location for which the license holder does not hold a current license.     
      (b) A license holder must not relocate a facility without a license from HHSC for the facility at the new location.     
      (c) To apply for relocation, the license holder for the current location must submit an application via the online portal for an initial license for the new location in accordance with §553.23 of this subchapter (relating to Initial Application Procedures and Requirements) and full payment of the fees required in §553.47 of this subchapter (relating to License Fees). The applicant must enter the proposed date of relocation on the application, subject to issuance of a license.     
      (d) Residents must not be relocated until the new building has been inspected and approved as meeting the Life Safety Code licensure requirements in Subchapter D of this chapter (relating to Facility Construction).     
      (e) Following Life Safety Code approval by HHSC, the license holder must notify HHSC via the online portal of the date the residents will be relocated.     
      (f) After a facility has met standards of operations in subsection (d) of this section, HHSC staff conduct an on-site health inspection if one was not conducted within the last licensure period, to determine if the facility meets the licensure requirements for standards of operation and resident care in Subchapter E of this chapter (relating to Standards for Licensure).     
      (g) HHSC issues a license for the new facility if the new facility meets the standards of operations in subsections (d) and (e) of this section.     
      (h) The license holder must continue to maintain the license at the current location and must continue to meet all requirements for operation of the facility until HHSC has approved the relocation. The issuance of a license constitutes HHSC approval of the relocation. The license for the current location becomes invalid upon issuance of the new license for the new location. The license from the other location must be returned to HHSC.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §553.37 adopted to be effective August 31, 2021, 46 TexReg 5017