NRS629.079. Referral of complaints to appropriate jurisdiction; notification of immediate threats to health and safety of public; immunity from civil liability for certain actions; definitions.

      1.  If a health care licensing board determines that a complaint received by the health care licensing board concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of another health care licensing board, the health care licensing board which received the complaint shall:

      (a) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b), refer the complaint to the other health care licensing board within 5 days after making the determination; and

      (b) If the health care licensing board also determines that the complaint concerns an emergency situation, immediately refer the complaint to the other health care licensing board.

      2.  If a health care licensing board determines that a complaint received by the health care licensing board concerns a public health emergency or other health event that is an immediate threat to the health and safety of the public in a health care facility or the office of a provider of health care, the health care licensing board shall immediately notify the appropriate health authority for the purposes of NRS 439.970.

      3.  A health care licensing board may refer a complaint pursuant to subsection 1 or provide notification pursuant to subsection 2 orally, electronically or in writing.

      4.  The provisions of subsections 1 and 2 apply to any complaint received by a health care licensing board, including, without limitation:

      (a) A complaint which concerns a person who or entity which is licensed, certified or otherwise regulated by the health care licensing board that received the complaint and by another health care licensing board; and

      (b) A complaint which concerns a person who or entity which is licensed, certified or otherwise regulated solely by another health care licensing board.

      5.  The provisions of this section do not prevent a health care licensing board from acting upon a complaint which concerns a matter within the jurisdiction of the health care licensing board regardless of whether the health care licensing board refers the complaint pursuant to subsection 1 or provides notification based upon the complaint pursuant to subsection 2.

      6.  A health care licensing board or an officer or employee of the health care licensing board is immune from any civil liability for any decision or action taken in good faith and without malicious intent in carrying out the provisions of this section.

      7.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Health care facility” means any facility licensed pursuant to chapter 449 of NRS.

      (b) “Health care licensing board” means:

             (1) A board created pursuant to chapter 630, 630A, 631, 632, 633, 634, 634A, 635, 636, 637, 637A, 637B, 639, 640, 640A, 640B, 640C, 640D, 640E, 641, 641A, 641B or 641C of NRS.

             (2) The Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 983)