523D.5  New construction.
  1.  Prerequisite information.  A provider shall not enter into a contract to provide continuing care or senior adult congregate living services that applies to a living unit that is part of a new facility or proposed expansion that is or will be located in this state unless the provider has prepared or acquired all of the following information:
  a.  A description of the new facility or the proposed expansion, including a description of the goods and services that will be offered to prospective residents.
  b.  A statement of the financial resources of the provider available for this project.
  c.  A statement of the capital expenditures necessary to accomplish this project.
  d.  A statement of financial feasibility for the new facility or proposed expansion which includes a statement of future funding sources and shall identify the qualifications of the person or persons preparing the study.
  e.  A statement of the market feasibility for the new facility or proposed expansion which identifies the qualifications of the person or persons preparing the study.
  f.  If the new facility or proposed expansion offers a promise to provide nursing or health care services to residents in the future pursuant to contracts effective for the life of the resident or a period in excess of one year in consideration for an entrance fee, an actuarial forecast which identifies the qualifications of the actuary or actuaries preparing the forecast.
  g.  Copies of the escrow agreements executed pursuant to this chapter or proof that an escrow is not required.
  2.  Determination of feasibility.
  a.  For an expansion of an existing facility, the determination of feasibility shall be based on consolidated information for the existing facility and the proposed expansion.
  b.  For a new facility, not part of an existing facility that will be constructed in more than one stage or phase, the initial stage or phase must evidence feasibility independent of any subsequent stage or phase and contain all of the facilities or components necessary to provide residents with all of the services and amenities promised by the provider.
  3.  Construction.
  a.  New construction shall not begin until at least fifty percent of the proposed number of independent living units in the initial stage or phase have been reserved pursuant to executed contracts and at least ten percent of the entrance fees required by those contracts are held in escrow pursuant to this chapter. However, the requirements of this subsection may be waived by the commissioner by rule or order upon a showing of good cause.
  b.  For purposes of this subsection, “good cause” includes, but is not limited to, evidence of the following:
  (1)  Secured financing adequate in an amount and term to complete the project.
  (2)  Cash reserves adequate in an amount to operate the facility for twenty-four months based upon reasonable projections of income and expenses.
  (3)  Creation of an escrow account in which a resident’s entrance fee or purchase price will be deposited, if the terms of the escrow agreement provide reasonable protection from loss until at least fifty percent of the proposed number of independent living units in the initial stage or phase have been reserved.
  4.  Escrow requirements.  Unless conditions for the release of escrowed funds set forth in this section have already been met, the provider shall establish an interest-bearing escrow account at a state or federally regulated financial institution located within this state to receive any deposits or entrance fees or portions of deposits or fees for a living unit which has not been previously occupied by a resident for which an entry fee arrangement is used. The escrow account agreement shall be entered into between the financial institution and the provider with the financial institution as the escrow agent and as a fiduciary for the resident or prospective resident. The agreement shall state that the purpose of the escrow account is to protect the resident or prospective resident and that the funds deposited shall be kept and maintained in an account separate and apart from the provider’s business accounts.
  5.  Release of escrowed funds.  Funds held in escrow shall be released only as follows:
  a.  If the provider fails to meet the requirements for release of funds held in escrow pursuant to this section within a time period specified in the escrow agreement, which shall not exceed thirty-six months, these funds shall be returned by the escrow agent to the persons who have made payment to the provider.
  b.  Upon notice from the provider that a resident is entitled to a refund, the escrow agent shall refund the amount directly to the resident. The amount of the refund shall be included in the provider’s notice to the escrow agent and shall be determined in compliance with this chapter and any applicable terms of the resident’s contract.
  c.  Except as provided by paragraphs “a” and “b”, amounts held in escrow shall not be released unless at least one of the following conditions has been satisfied:
  (1)  The facility has a minimum of fifty percent of the units reserved for which the provider is charging an entrance fee and the aggregate amount of the entrance fees received by or pledged to the provider, plus anticipated proceeds from any long-term financing commitment, plus funds from all other sources in the actual possession of the provider, equal not less than ninety percent of the aggregate cost of constructing or purchasing, equipping, and furnishing the facility.
  (2)  The resident has moved into the living unit, the cancellation period required by section 523D.6, subsection 2, has expired, construction of the facility or the portion of the facility under construction is complete, the facility has been adequately equipped and furnished, a certificate of occupancy or the equivalent has been issued by the appropriate local jurisdiction, and the provider has been issued all the appropriate licenses or permits needed to operate the facility and provide all of the promised services.
  d.  Upon receipt by the escrow agent of a request by the provider for the release of these escrowed funds, the escrow agent shall approve release of the funds within five working days unless the escrow agent finds that the requirements of this section have not been met and notifies the provider of the basis for this finding. The request for release of the escrowed funds shall be accompanied by any documentation the escrow agent requires.
  6.  Retention of records.  The provider shall maintain information required by this section for at least five years. The information shall be made available for inspection during normal business hours.
89 Acts, ch 217, §5; 91 Acts, ch 205, §14; 92 Acts, ch 1078, §11; 93 Acts, ch 60, §12; 2004 Acts, ch 1104, §37 – 44; 2012 Acts, ch 1023, §157