SB541 (2008) Detail

(New Title) relative to an expedited process for certificate of need review and membership of the health services planning and review board.


SB 541 – AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE

03/20/08 1027s

2008 SESSION

08-2913

01/04

SENATE BILL 541

AN ACT relative to an expedited process for certificate of need review and membership of the health services planning and review board.

SPONSORS: Sen. DeVries, Dist 18; Sen. Sgambati, Dist 4

COMMITTEE: Health and Human Services

AMENDED ANALYSIS

This bill requires the health services planning and review board to initiate rulemaking relative to an expedited review process for certain projects.

This bill also changes criteria for the member representing county government on the health services planning and review board.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

03/20/08 1027s

08-2913

01/04

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight

AN ACT relative to an expedited process for certificate of need review and membership of the health services planning and review board.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

1 Statement of Purpose.

I. The general court finds that the health services planning and review board serves an important role in the regulation of health care construction and development by evaluating the need for large health care projects under RSA 151-C. Consistent with the purpose of RSA 151-C, the review of large health care projects to determine need is an appropriate mechanism to avoid unnecessary duplication of services and to promote the rational allocation of health care resources. Notwithstanding this important role, the general court recognizes that the process for reviewing health care projects and determining if need exists is a lengthy, complicated, and costly process.

II. Therefore, the general court finds that there are projects where full review may be unnecessarily lengthy and complicated, and that there are occasions where an expedited process would effectively serve the regulatory process and protect the interest of health care consumers. It is the intent of the general court that the health services planning and review board have clear authority to develop administrative rules that identify projects that can be effectively reviewed in an expedited manner, and to set forth by rule the process for conducting an expedited review for these projects. It is the further intent of the general court that such rules be developed and adopted pursuant to RSA 541-A, on or before January 1, 2009.

2 New Paragraph; Certificate of Need; Expedited Process. Amend RSA 151-C:11 by inserting after paragraph II the following new paragraph:

III. Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 151-C:8, on or before January 1, 2009 the board shall initiate rulemaking, pursuant to RSA 541-A, delineating projects that are eligible for expedited review, and establishing an expedited review process for such projects. At a minimum, such rules shall include the process and timeline for submitting expedited applications, the review schedule, and the content of an expedited application.

3 Health Services Planning and Review Board; Membership. Amend RSA 151-C:3, I(a)(2)(D) to read as follows:

(D) A [county official] representative of county government nominated by the New Hampshire Association of Counties.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.