210 ILCS 45/3-202.6

(210 ILCS 45/3-202.6)

Sec. 3-202.6. Department of Veterans' Affairs facility plan review.

(a) Before commencing construction of a new facility or specified types of alteration or additions to an existing long-term care facility involving major construction, as defined by rule by the Department, with an estimated cost greater than $100,000, architectural drawings and specifications for the facility shall be submitted to the Department for review. A facility may submit architectural drawings and specifications for other construction projects for Department review according to subsection (b) of this Section. Review of drawings and specifications shall be conducted by an employee of the Department meeting the qualifications established by the Department of Central Management Services class specifications for such an individual's position or by a person contracting with the Department who meets those class specifications.

(b) The Department shall inform an applicant in writing within 15 working days after receiving drawings and specifications from the applicant whether the applicant's submission is complete or incomplete. Failure to provide the applicant with this notice within 15 working days after receiving drawings and specifications from the applicant shall result in the submission being deemed complete for purposes of initiating the 60-working-day review period under this Section. If the submission is incomplete, the Department shall inform the applicant of the deficiencies with the submission in writing.

If the submission is complete, the Department shall approve or disapprove drawings and specifications submitted to the Department no later than 60 working days following receipt by the Department. The drawings and specifications shall be of sufficient detail, as provided by Department rule, to enable the Department to render a determination of compliance with design and construction standards under this Act. If the Department finds that the drawings are not of sufficient detail for it to render a determination of compliance, the plans shall be determined to be incomplete and shall not be considered for purposes of initiating the 60-working-day review period. If a submission of drawings and specifications is incomplete, the applicant may submit additional information. The 60-working-day review period shall not commence until the Department determines that a submission of drawings and specifications is complete or the submission is deemed complete. If the Department has not approved or disapproved the drawings and specifications within 60 working days after receipt by the Department, the construction, major alteration, or addition shall be deemed approved. If the drawings and specifications are disapproved, the Department shall state in writing, with specificity, the reasons for the disapproval. The entity submitting the drawings and specifications may submit additional information in response to the written comments from the Department or request a reconsideration of the disapproval. A final decision of approval or disapproval shall be made within 45 working days after the receipt of the additional information or reconsideration request. If denied, the Department shall state the specific reasons for the denial.

(c) The Department shall provide written approval for occupancy pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section and shall not issue a violation to a facility as a result of a licensure or complaint survey based upon the facility's physical structure if:

(1) the Department reviewed and approved or is deemed to have approved the drawings and specifications for compliance with design and construction standards;

(2) the construction, major alteration, or addition was built as submitted;

(3) the law or rules have not been amended since the original approval; and

(4) the conditions at the facility indicate that there is a reasonable degree of safety provided for the residents.

(d) The Department shall not charge a fee in connection with its reviews to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

(e) The Department shall conduct an on-site inspection of the completed project no later than 45 working days after notification from the applicant that the project has been completed and all certifications required by the Department have been received and accepted by the Department, except that, during a statewide public health emergency, as defined in the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, the Department shall conduct an on-site inspection of the completed project to the extent feasible. The Department may extend this deadline if a federally mandated survey time frame takes precedence. The Department shall provide written approval for occupancy to the applicant within 7 working days after the Department's final inspection, provided the applicant has demonstrated substantial compliance as defined by Department rule. Occupancy of new major construction is prohibited until Department approval is received, unless the Department has not acted within the time frames provided in this subsection (e), in which case the construction shall be deemed approved. Occupancy shall be authorized after any required health inspection by the Department has been conducted.

(f) The Department shall establish, by rule, an expedited process for emergency repairs or replacement of like equipment.

(g) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to apply to maintenance, upkeep, or renovation that does not affect the structural integrity or fire or life safety of the building, does not add beds or services over the number for which the long-term care facility is licensed, and provides a reasonable degree of safety for the residents.

(h) If the number of licensed facilities increases or the number of beds for the currently licensed facilities increases, the Department has the right to reassess the mandated time frames listed in this Section.

(Source: P.A. 103-1, eff. 4-27-23.)