SECTION 50:10-3-6. Application and inspection of facilities

(a)   Application. Qualifying institution applying for authorization to receive and hold bodies or parts thereof must apply in writing to the executive director of the Board. Such application must contain a description of the facilities to be utilized. The application should suggest suitable dates for a site visit by designated members of the Board. All authorized institutions planning significant alterations of their facilities should advise the Board early in the process of changes proposed.

(b)   Inspection.

(1)   The inspection team.

(A)   New facilities. An inspection subcommittee of the Board, composed of at least two members of the Board, or the executive director and another member shall visit all new facilities, including any existing facilities that have undergone major renovation. Such inspections shall be made within 60 days of the receipt of a request for inspection.

(B)   Inspection. Approved facilities. All approved facilities shall be re-inspected from time to time on a periodic basis not less than every five years by at least one member of the Board from an institution other than the facility being inspected. Advance notice of such re-inspections shall be given.

(C)   Facilities where deficiencies have been cited. All facilities which have been disapproved, or where a deficiency has been cited on inspection or re-inspection, may be visited by a re-inspection subcommittee composed of at least one member of the Board from an institution other than the facility being re-inspected. This re-inspection, when deemed necessary, shall be made within 60 days of notice to the executive director that the corrections have been accomplished. Advance notice of such re-inspections shall be given.

(2)   Reports of inspection and re-inspection.

(A)   Approved facilities. Where the inspection subcommittee finds no reason to deny approval of the inspected facilities, they will make such a report in writing to the executive director. Upon acceptance of the report, the executive director shall notify the institution concerned of such approval of its facilities and authorize it to receive and hold bodies or body parts.

(B)   Disapproved facilities.

(i)   Needed corrections cited in writing. When the inspection subcommittee notes deficiencies which require remedy before approval can be granted, they shall so report, in detail, in writing to the executive director of the Board, who shall notify the institution promptly of these deficiencies. The inspection subcommittee will discuss deficiencies found with the concerned institution personnel before departing from the site.

(ii)   Requirement for immediate action. When an institution is advised of deficiencies uncovered by an inspection subcommittee, it is obligated to effect immediate correction of the deficiency or deficiencies. Delay in effecting the required corrections will delay granting approval of new facilities and may threaten continued approval of existing facilities.

(iii)   Suspension of authorization. Unnecessary delay in making required correction(s) of deficiencies uncovered by inspection or reinspection may, by majority vote of the Board, result in denial or withdrawal of approval of the facility and withholding or suspension of authorization to receive and hold bodies or body parts. Shall an organization, institution, or individual object to such determination by the Board, it may request a hearing.

[Source: Added at 31 Ok Reg 783, eff 9-12-14]