Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—69 § 481—69.20
Cessation of program operation that includes seeking decertification.
Operative Text
69.20(1) At least 90 days in advance of cessation, the program shall provide to the department and the office of long-term care ombudsman written notification of the date on which the program will cease operation or decertify. 69.20(2) At the time a program decides to cease operation, the program shall submit a plan to the department and make arrangements for the safe and orderly transfer or transition of all tenants within the 90-day period specified by subrule 69.20(1). 69.20(3) The department may conduct a monitoring during the 90-day period to ensure the safety of tenants during the transfer process or transition process. 69.20(4) When a program ceases operation, representatives from the office of long-term care ombudsman shall be allowed by the program to privately meet with tenants to provide education and service options.
Iowa Admin. Code r. 481—69 § 481—69.20 establishes a structured wind-down process for assisted-living or long-term care programs that plan to stop operating or seek decertification. At least 90 days before closing, the program must notify both the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman in writing. During that 90-day window, the program must submit a transition plan and carry out a safe, orderly transfer of all tenants, while the department retains authority to conduct monitoring visits and the ombudsman's office must be permitted to meet privately with tenants about their options.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators governed by § 481—69.20 who are planning to close or decertify must send written notice to the department and the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman no later than 90 days before the cessation date. Compliant operators simultaneously prepare and submit a tenant-transition plan to the department and actively coordinate safe placements for all residents within that 90-day window. Operators also ensure that ombudsman representatives have unimpeded, private access to tenants throughout the process, and they cooperate fully with any departmental monitoring visits that occur during this period.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 481—69.20 gives residents of a closing program specific protections: the program is required to give at least 90 days' advance written notice of closure and to arrange a safe, orderly transition for every tenant. During that period, representatives from the Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman have the right to meet privately with residents to explain available services and housing options. Tenants or their advocates who believe a program is not following these requirements may contact the Iowa Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman or the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, or reach out to a tenant-rights or elder-law organization for general information about available paths.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 18, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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