D.C. Law 22-220. Clarification of Hospital Closure Procedure Temporary Amendment Act of 2018.

AN ACT

To amend, on a temporary basis, the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996 to clarify that the State Health Planning and Development Agency currently has the authority to approve or disapprove the closure or termination of services of a health care facility; and to amend the Health-Care and Community Residence Facility Hospice and Home Care Licensure Act of 1983 to authorize the Director of the Department of Health to issue a provisional license in the specified circumstance.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Clarification of Hospital Closure Procedure Temporary Amendment Act of 2018".

Sec. 2. Section 7(c) of the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-191; D.C. Official Code § 44-406(c)), is amended by striking the phrase "extent possible." and inserting the phrase "extent possible, which may include organizing meetings with affected stakeholders and providing planning and technical assistance for possible patient load transition, and, if the notice of closure is approved by SHPDA, continue to assist in the orderly transition by overseeing the placement of patients into new HCFs in a manner that ensures that the health and well-being of the patients is protected.".

Sec. 3. Section 7 of the Health-Care and Community Residence Facility Hospice and Home Care Licensure Act of 1983, effective February 24, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-48; D.C. Official Code § 44-506), is amended as follows:

(a) Subsection (c) is amended by striking the phrase "Provisional licenses" and inserting the phrase "Except as provided in subsection (f) of this section, provisional licenses" in its place.

(b) A new subsection (f) is added to read as follows:

"(f)(1) If a notice of closure of a health care facility or health service is denied by the State Health Planning and Developmental Agency pursuant to section 7(c) of the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-191; D.C. Official Code § 44-406(c)), the Director of the Department of Health may issue a provisional license to the health care facility or health service to continue to operate for up to 3 years.

"(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the terms "health care facility" and "health service" shall have the same meanings as provided in section 2(10) and (12) of the Health Services Planning Program Re-establishment Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-191; D.C. Official Code § 44-401(10) and (12)), respectively.".

Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a).

Sec. 5. Effective date.

(a) This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30-day period of congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.

(b) This act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.