Any developmentally disabled recipient under this chapter receiving care in a nursing facility or any category of intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is entitled as a part of the therapeutic and rehabilitative program, to be temporarily absent from the facilities. The State Department of Health Services shall, with consultation from the State Department of Developmental Services, adopt regulations establishing the periods of time and conditions under which temporary absences shall be permitted. The regulations shall require that absences be in accordance with an individual program plan and provide for absences due to hospitalization for an acute condition. The limits on temporary leaves of absence established by the Department of Health Services by regulation shall not be less than 30 days per year.
During these temporary absences the State Department of Health Services shall reimburse the facility for the cost of maintaining the vacant accommodations at a rate determined by the department which shall be less than the regular rate.