As used in this subpart:

1. (1) “Abandonment” means the act of an owner/operator to discontinue the operation of a long-term care facility without the sale of that facility to a responsible purchaser, or without ensuring the placement of all facility residents in appropriate long-term care facilities prior to discontinuing operations of the facility; and

2. (2)

   1. (A) “Assisted living facility” means any building or buildings, section or distinct part of a building, whether operated for profit or not, which undertakes through its ownership or management to provide assisted living services for a period exceeding twenty-four (24) hours to more than three (3) adult residents of the facility who are not relatives of the owner or administrator.
   2. (B) Assisted living facility includes those facilities, which provide assisted living services either directly or through contractual arrangements or which facilitate contracting in the name of residents; and
3. (3) “Service area” means the county in which the beds or facility is located or is to be located.