Capital Needs of Rural and Frontier Hospitals

The department of public health and environment (department) is required to conduct a study of capital needs for rural and frontier hospitals throughout the state (study). The rural and frontier hospital capital needs study task force (task force) is created and is required to oversee the study. The study must measure the number of studied facilities that are not compliant with current and relevant design and building code standards for health-care facilities, identify the age of core facilities and any additions to those facilities, and estimate the costs for renovating or replacing facilities identified as having capital needs. No later than 18 months after the first meeting of the task force, the department is required to complete the study and compile the results of the study into a report. The department is required to present the report to the respective health and human services committees of the senate and house of representatives.

The task force is made up of the following 7 members who must be appointed no later than 2 months after sufficient funding has been secured for the implementation of the act:

• 3 members who work in rural or frontier hospitals;
• One member who is an architect professional;
• One member who is a construction contractor professional;
• One member who represents hospitals; and
• One member of the general public who lives in a rural area or frontier area.

In addition to overseeing the study, the task force is responsible for developing and approving the parameters of the study and overseeing the department's report. The task force may also facilitate contracting with a private sector consulting company to assist with data compilation, research, and outreach to rural and frontier hospitals. The task force is required to hold its first meeting within 2 months of all appointments being made to the task force and meet at least quarterly after the first meeting until the study and the report are complete.

The requirements imposed on the department, the task force, and any third party in connection with the study are contingent upon money being available through gifts, grants, or donations for the purpose of conducting the study.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)