MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Public Health and Human Services
By: Representatives Brown (20th), Hopkins
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 41-7-191, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE HEALTH CARE CERTIFICATE OF NEED LAWS SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY ACTIVITY THAT WOULD OTHERWISE REQUIRE A CERTIFICATE OF NEED IN A COUNTY THAT HAS RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AS A GROWTH AND PROSPERITY COUNTY UNDER SECTION 57-80-9; TO AMEND SECTIONS 25-41-7, 41-4-18, 41-9-11, 41-9-23, 41-9-68, 41-9-209, 41-9-210, 41-9-311, 41-71-7, 41-71-19, 41-73-5, 41-75-1, 41-75-9, 41-75-25, 41-77-1, 41-77-21, 41-77-23, 41-77-25, 43-11-9, 43-11-19 AND 57-117-5, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CONFORM TO THE PRECEDING PROVISIONS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 57-80-5, 57-80-7 AND 57-80-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATE TO ELIGIBILITY OF COUNTIES FOR CERTIFICATES OF CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY UNDER THE GROWTH AND PROSPERITY ACT, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 41-7-191, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
41-7-191. (1) No person shall engage in any of the following activities without obtaining the required certificate of need:
(a) The construction, development or other establishment of a new health care facility, which establishment shall include the reopening of a health care facility that has ceased to operate for a period of sixty (60) months or more;
(b) The relocation of a health care facility or portion thereof, or major medical equipment, unless such relocation of a health care facility or portion thereof, or major medical equipment, which does not involve a capital expenditure by or on behalf of a health care facility, is within five thousand two hundred eighty (5,280) feet from the main entrance of the health care facility;
(c) Any change in the existing bed complement of any health care facility through the addition or conversion of any beds or the alteration, modernizing or refurbishing of any unit or department in which the beds may be located; however, if a health care facility has voluntarily delicensed some of its existing bed complement, it may later relicense some or all of its delicensed beds without the necessity of having to acquire a certificate of need. The State Department of Health shall maintain a record of the delicensing health care facility and its voluntarily delicensed beds and continue counting those beds as part of the state's total bed count for health care planning purposes. If a health care facility that has voluntarily delicensed some of its beds later desires to relicense some or all of its voluntarily delicensed beds, it shall notify the State Department of Health of its intent to increase the number of its licensed beds. The State Department of Health shall survey the health care facility within thirty (30) days of that notice and, if appropriate, issue the health care facility a new license reflecting the new contingent of beds. However, in no event may a health care facility that has voluntarily delicensed some of its beds be reissued a license to operate beds in excess of its bed count before the voluntary delicensure of some of its beds without seeking certificate of need approval;
(d) Offering of the following health services if those services have not been provided on a regular basis by the proposed provider of such services within the period of twelve (12) months prior to the time such services would be offered:
(i) Open-heart surgery services;
(ii) Cardiac catheterization services;
(iii) Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services;
(iv) Licensed psychiatric services;
(v) Licensed chemical dependency services;
(vi) Radiation therapy services;
(vii) Diagnostic imaging services of an invasive nature, i.e. invasive digital angiography;
(viii) Nursing home care as defined in subparagraphs (iv), (vi) and (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h);
(ix) Home health services;
(x) Swing-bed services;
(xi) Ambulatory surgical services;
(xii) Magnetic resonance imaging services;
(xiii) [Deleted]
(xiv) Long-term care hospital services;
(xv) Positron emission tomography (PET) services;
(e) The relocation of one or more health services from one physical facility or site to another physical facility or site, unless such relocation, which does not involve a capital expenditure by or on behalf of a health care facility, (i) is to a physical facility or site within five thousand two hundred eighty (5,280) feet from the main entrance of the health care facility where the health care service is located, or (ii) is the result of an order of a court of appropriate jurisdiction or a result of pending litigation in such court, or by order of the State Department of Health, or by order of any other agency or legal entity of the state, the federal government, or any political subdivision of either, whose order is also approved by the State Department of Health;
(f) The acquisition or otherwise control of any major medical equipment for the provision of medical services; however, (i) the acquisition of any major medical equipment used only for research purposes, and (ii) the acquisition of major medical equipment to replace medical equipment for which a facility is already providing medical services and for which the State Department of Health has been notified before the date of such acquisition shall be exempt from this paragraph; an acquisition for less than fair market value must be reviewed, if the acquisition at fair market value would be subject to review;
(g) Changes of ownership of existing health care facilities in which a notice of intent is not filed with the State Department of Health at least thirty (30) days prior to the date such change of ownership occurs, or a change in services or bed capacity as prescribed in paragraph (c) or (d) of this subsection as a result of the change of ownership; an acquisition for less than fair market value must be reviewed, if the acquisition at fair market value would be subject to review;
(h) The change of ownership of any health care facility defined in subparagraphs (iv), (vi) and (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h), in which a notice of intent as described in paragraph (g) has not been filed and if the Executive Director, Division of Medicaid, Office of the Governor, has not certified in writing that there will be no increase in allowable costs to Medicaid from revaluation of the assets or from increased interest and depreciation as a result of the proposed change of ownership;
(i) Any activity described in paragraphs (a) through (h) if undertaken by any person if that same activity would require certificate of need approval if undertaken by a health care facility;
(j) Any capital expenditure or deferred capital expenditure by or on behalf of a health care facility not covered by paragraphs (a) through (h);
(k) The contracting of a health care facility as defined in subparagraphs (i) through (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h) to establish a home office, subunit, or branch office in the space operated as a health care facility through a formal arrangement with an existing health care facility as defined in subparagraph (ix) of Section 41-7-173(h);
(l) The replacement or relocation of a health care facility designated as a critical access hospital shall be exempt from subsection (1) of this section so long as the critical access hospital complies with all applicable federal law and regulations regarding such replacement or relocation;
(m) Reopening a health care facility that has ceased to operate for a period of sixty (60) months or more, which reopening requires a certificate of need for the establishment of a new health care facility.
(2) The State Department of Health shall not grant approval for or issue a certificate of need to any person proposing the new construction of, addition to, or expansion of any health care facility defined in subparagraphs (iv) (skilled nursing facility) and (vi) (intermediate care facility) of Section 41-7-173(h) or the conversion of vacant hospital beds to provide skilled or intermediate nursing home care, except as hereinafter authorized:
(a) The department may issue a certificate of need to any person proposing the new construction of any health care facility defined in subparagraphs (iv) and (vi) of Section 41-7-173(h) as part of a life care retirement facility, in any county bordering on the Gulf of Mexico in which is located a National Aeronautics and Space Administration facility, not to exceed forty (40) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the health care facility that were authorized under this paragraph (a).
(b) The department may issue certificates of need in Harrison County to provide skilled nursing home care for Alzheimer's disease patients and other patients, not to exceed one hundred fifty (150) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facilities that were authorized under this paragraph (b).
(c) The department may issue a certificate of need for the addition to or expansion of any skilled nursing facility that is part of an existing continuing care retirement community located in Madison County, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (c), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this paragraph (c) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds.
(d) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need to any hospital located in DeSoto County for the new construction of a skilled nursing facility, not to exceed one hundred twenty (120) beds, in DeSoto County. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facility that were authorized under this paragraph (d).
(e) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need for the construction of a nursing facility or the conversion of beds to nursing facility beds at a personal care facility for the elderly in Lowndes County that is owned and operated by a Mississippi nonprofit corporation, not to exceed sixty (60) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facility that were authorized under this paragraph (e).
(f) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need for conversion of a county hospital facility in Itawamba County to a nursing facility, not to exceed sixty (60) beds, including any necessary construction, renovation or expansion. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facility that were authorized under this paragraph (f).
(g) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need for the construction or expansion of nursing facility beds or the conversion of other beds to nursing facility beds in either Hinds, Madison or Rankin County, not to exceed sixty (60) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the nursing facility that were authorized under this paragraph (g).
(h) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need for the construction or expansion of nursing facility beds or the conversion of other beds to nursing facility beds in either Hancock, Harrison or Jackson County, not to exceed sixty (60) beds. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the facility that were authorized under this paragraph (h).
(i) The department may issue a certificate of need for the new construction of a skilled nursing facility in Leake County, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (i), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The provision of Section 41-7-193(1) regarding substantial compliance of the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan is waived for the purposes of this paragraph. The total number of nursing facility beds that may be authorized by any certificate of need issued under this paragraph (i) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds. If the skilled nursing facility authorized by the certificate of need issued under this paragraph is not constructed and fully operational within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 1994, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall not issue a license for the skilled nursing facility at any time after the expiration of the eighteen-month period.
(j) The department may issue certificates of need to allow any existing freestanding long-term care facility in Tishomingo County and Hancock County that on July 1, 1995, is licensed with fewer than sixty (60) beds. For the purposes of this paragraph (j), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. From and after July 1, 1999, there shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the beds in the long-term care facilities that were authorized under this paragraph (j).
(k) The department may issue a certificate of need for the construction of a nursing facility at a continuing care retirement community in Lowndes County. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this paragraph (k) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds. From and after July 1, 2001, the prohibition on the facility participating in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) that was a condition of issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph (k) shall be revised as follows: The nursing facility may participate in the Medicaid program from and after July 1, 2001, if the owner of the facility on July 1, 2001, agrees in writing that no more than thirty (30) of the beds at the facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program, and that no claim will be submitted for Medicaid reimbursement for more than thirty (30) patients in the facility in any month or for any patient in the facility who is in a bed that is not Medicaid-certified. This written agreement by the owner of the facility shall be a condition of licensure of the facility, and the agreement shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the facility if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after July 1, 2001. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify more than thirty (30) of the beds in the facility for participation in the Medicaid program. If the facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than thirty (30) patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has violated the written agreement.
(l) Provided that funds are specifically appropriated therefor by the Legislature, the department may issue a certificate of need to a rehabilitation hospital in Hinds County for the construction of a sixty-bed long-term care nursing facility dedicated to the care and treatment of persons with severe disabilities including persons with spinal cord and closed-head injuries and ventilator dependent patients. The provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) regarding substantial compliance with projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived for the purpose of this paragraph.
(m) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need to a county-owned hospital in the Second Judicial District of Panola County for the conversion of not more than seventy-two (72) hospital beds to nursing facility beds, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that none of the beds at the nursing facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.), and that no claim will be submitted for Medicaid reimbursement in the nursing facility in any day or for any patient in the nursing facility. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be a condition of the issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph, and the agreement shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the nursing facility if the ownership of the nursing facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify any of the beds in the nursing facility for participation in the Medicaid program. If the nursing facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the nursing facility on a regular or continuing basis any patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the nursing facility has violated the condition upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement. If the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph is not issued within twelve (12) months after July 1, 2001, the department shall deny the application for the certificate of need and shall not issue the certificate of need at any time after the twelve-month period, unless the issuance is contested. If the certificate of need is issued and substantial construction of the nursing facility beds has not commenced within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 2001, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need if it is still outstanding, and the department shall not issue a license for the nursing facility at any time after the eighteen-month period. However, if the issuance of the certificate of need is contested, the department shall require substantial construction of the nursing facility beds within six (6) months after final adjudication on the issuance of the certificate of need.
(n) The department may issue a certificate of need for the new construction, addition or conversion of skilled nursing facility beds in Madison County, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (n), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The total number of nursing facility beds that may be authorized by any certificate of need issued under this paragraph (n) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds. If the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph is not issued within twelve (12) months after July 1, 1998, the department shall deny the application for the certificate of need and shall not issue the certificate of need at any time after the twelve-month period, unless the issuance is contested. If the certificate of need is issued and substantial construction of the nursing facility beds has not commenced within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 1998, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need if it is still outstanding, and the department shall not issue a license for the nursing facility at any time after the eighteen-month period. However, if the issuance of the certificate of need is contested, the department shall require substantial construction of the nursing facility beds within six (6) months after final adjudication on the issuance of the certificate of need.
(o) The department may issue a certificate of need for the new construction, addition or conversion of skilled nursing facility beds in Leake County, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (o), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The total number of nursing facility beds that may be authorized by any certificate of need issued under this paragraph (o) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds. If the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph is not issued within twelve (12) months after July 1, 2001, the department shall deny the application for the certificate of need and shall not issue the certificate of need at any time after the twelve-month period, unless the issuance is contested. If the certificate of need is issued and substantial construction of the nursing facility beds has not commenced within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 2001, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need if it is still outstanding, and the department shall not issue a license for the nursing facility at any time after the eighteen-month period. However, if the issuance of the certificate of need is contested, the department shall require substantial construction of the nursing facility beds within six (6) months after final adjudication on the issuance of the certificate of need.
(p) The department may issue a certificate of need for the construction of a municipally owned nursing facility within the Town of Belmont in Tishomingo County, not to exceed sixty (60) beds, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the skilled nursing facility will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the skilled nursing facility who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the skilled nursing facility, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the skilled nursing facility will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this paragraph (p), and if such skilled nursing facility at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the skilled nursing facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. The provision of Section 41-7-193(1) regarding substantial compliance of the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan is waived for the purposes of this paragraph. If the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph is not issued within twelve (12) months after July 1, 1998, the department shall deny the application for the certificate of need and shall not issue the certificate of need at any time after the twelve-month period, unless the issuance is contested. If the certificate of need is issued and substantial construction of the nursing facility beds has not commenced within eighteen (18) months after July 1, 1998, the State Department of Health, after a hearing complying with due process, shall revoke the certificate of need if it is still outstanding, and the department shall not issue a license for the nursing facility at any time after the eighteen-month period. However, if the issuance of the certificate of need is contested, the department shall require substantial construction of the nursing facility beds within six (6) months after final adjudication on the issuance of the certificate of need.
(q) (i) Beginning on July 1, 1999, the State Department of Health shall issue certificates of need during each of the next four (4) fiscal years for the construction or expansion of nursing facility beds or the conversion of other beds to nursing facility beds in each county in the state having a need for fifty (50) or more additional nursing facility beds, as shown in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan, in the manner provided in this paragraph (q). The total number of nursing facility beds that may be authorized by any certificate of need authorized under this paragraph (q) shall not exceed sixty (60) beds.
(ii) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (v), during each of the next four (4) fiscal years, the department shall issue six (6) certificates of need for new nursing facility beds, as follows: During fiscal years 2000, 2001 and 2002, one (1) certificate of need shall be issued for new nursing facility beds in the county in each of the four (4) Long-Term Care Planning Districts designated in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan that has the highest need in the district for those beds; and two (2) certificates of need shall be issued for new nursing facility beds in the two (2) counties from the state at large that have the highest need in the state for those beds, when considering the need on a statewide basis and without regard to the Long-Term Care Planning Districts in which the counties are located. During fiscal year 2003, one (1) certificate of need shall be issued for new nursing facility beds in any county having a need for fifty (50) or more additional nursing facility beds, as shown in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan, that has not received a certificate of need under this paragraph (q) during the three (3) previous fiscal years. During fiscal year 2000, in addition to the six (6) certificates of need authorized in this subparagraph, the department also shall issue a certificate of need for new nursing facility beds in Amite County and a certificate of need for new nursing facility beds in Carroll County.
(iii) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (v), the certificate of need issued under subparagraph (ii) for nursing facility beds in each Long-Term Care Planning District during each fiscal year shall first be available for nursing facility beds in the county in the district having the highest need for those beds, as shown in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan. If there are no applications for a certificate of need for nursing facility beds in the county having the highest need for those beds by the date specified by the department, then the certificate of need shall be available for nursing facility beds in other counties in the district in descending order of the need for those beds, from the county with the second highest need to the county with the lowest need, until an application is received for nursing facility beds in an eligible county in the district.
(iv) Subject to the provisions of subparagraph (v), the certificate of need issued under subparagraph (ii) for nursing facility beds in the two (2) counties from the state at large during each fiscal year shall first be available for nursing facility beds in the two (2) counties that have the highest need in the state for those beds, as shown in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan, when considering the need on a statewide basis and without regard to the Long-Term Care Planning Districts in which the counties are located. If there are no applications for a certificate of need for nursing facility beds in either of the two (2) counties having the highest need for those beds on a statewide basis by the date specified by the department, then the certificate of need shall be available for nursing facility beds in other counties from the state at large in descending order of the need for those beds on a statewide basis, from the county with the second highest need to the county with the lowest need, until an application is received for nursing facility beds in an eligible county from the state at large.
(v) If a certificate of need is authorized to be issued under this paragraph (q) for nursing facility beds in a county on the basis of the need in the Long-Term Care Planning District during any fiscal year of the four-year period, a certificate of need shall not also be available under this paragraph (q) for additional nursing facility beds in that county on the basis of the need in the state at large, and that county shall be excluded in determining which counties have the highest need for nursing facility beds in the state at large for that fiscal year. After a certificate of need has been issued under this paragraph (q) for nursing facility beds in a county during any fiscal year of the four-year period, a certificate of need shall not be available again under this paragraph (q) for additional nursing facility beds in that county during the four-year period, and that county shall be excluded in determining which counties have the highest need for nursing facility beds in succeeding fiscal years.
(vi) If more than one (1) application is made for a certificate of need for nursing home facility beds available under this paragraph (q), in Yalobusha, Newton or Tallahatchie County, and one (1) of the applicants is a county-owned hospital located in the county where the nursing facility beds are available, the department shall give priority to the county-owned hospital in granting the certificate of need if the following conditions are met:
1. The county-owned hospital fully meets all applicable criteria and standards required to obtain a certificate of need for the nursing facility beds; and
2. The county-owned hospital's qualifications for the certificate of need, as shown in its application and as determined by the department, are at least equal to the qualifications of the other applicants for the certificate of need.
(r) (i) Beginning on July 1, 1999, the State Department of Health shall issue certificates of need during each of the next two (2) fiscal years for the construction or expansion of nursing facility beds or the conversion of other beds to nursing facility beds in each of the four (4) Long-Term Care Planning Districts designated in the fiscal year 1999 State Health Plan, to provide care exclusively to patients with Alzheimer's disease.
(ii) Not more than twenty (20) beds may be authorized by any certificate of need issued under this paragraph (r), and not more than a total of sixty (60) beds may be authorized in any Long-Term Care Planning District by all certificates of need issued under this paragraph (r). However, the total number of beds that may be authorized by all certificates of need issued under this paragraph (r) during any fiscal year shall not exceed one hundred twenty (120) beds, and the total number of beds that may be authorized in any Long-Term Care Planning District during any fiscal year shall not exceed forty (40) beds. Of the certificates of need that are issued for each Long-Term Care Planning District during the next two (2) fiscal years, at least one (1) shall be issued for beds in the northern part of the district, at least one (1) shall be issued for beds in the central part of the district, and at least one (1) shall be issued for beds in the southern part of the district.
(iii) The State Department of Health, in consultation with the Department of Mental Health and the Division of Medicaid, shall develop and prescribe the staffing levels, space requirements and other standards and requirements that must be met with regard to the nursing facility beds authorized under this paragraph (r) to provide care exclusively to patients with Alzheimer's disease.
(s) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need to a nonprofit skilled nursing facility using the Green House model of skilled nursing care and located in Yazoo City, Yazoo County, Mississippi, for the construction, expansion or conversion of not more than nineteen (19) nursing facility beds. For purposes of this paragraph (s), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph (s).
(t) The State Department of Health shall issue certificates of need to the owner of a nursing facility in operation at the time of Hurricane Katrina in Hancock County that was not operational on December 31, 2005, because of damage sustained from Hurricane Katrina to authorize the following: (i) the construction of a new nursing facility in Harrison County; (ii) the relocation of forty-nine (49) nursing facility beds from the Hancock County facility to the new Harrison County facility; (iii) the establishment of not more than twenty (20) non-Medicaid nursing facility beds at the Hancock County facility; and (iv) the establishment of not more than twenty (20) non-Medicaid beds at the new Harrison County facility. The certificates of need that authorize the non-Medicaid nursing facility beds under subparagraphs (iii) and (iv) of this paragraph (t) shall be subject to the following conditions: The owner of the Hancock County facility and the new Harrison County facility must agree in writing that no more than fifty (50) of the beds at the Hancock County facility and no more than forty-nine (49) of the beds at the Harrison County facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program, and that no claim will be submitted for Medicaid reimbursement for more than fifty (50) patients in the Hancock County facility in any month, or for more than forty-nine (49) patients in the Harrison County facility in any month, or for any patient in either facility who is in a bed that is not Medicaid-certified. This written agreement by the owner of the nursing facilities shall be a condition of the issuance of the certificates of need under this paragraph (t), and the agreement shall be fully binding on any later owner or owners of either facility if the ownership of either facility is transferred at any time after the certificates of need are issued. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify more than fifty (50) of the beds at the Hancock County facility or more than forty-nine (49) of the beds at the Harrison County facility for participation in the Medicaid program. If the Hancock County facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than fifty (50) patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, or if the Harrison County facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than forty-nine (49) patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the facility that is in violation of the agreement, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has violated the agreement.
(u) The State Department of Health shall issue a certificate of need to a nonprofit venture for the establishment, construction and operation of a skilled nursing facility of not more than sixty (60) beds to provide skilled nursing care for ventilator dependent or otherwise medically dependent pediatric patients who require medical and nursing care or rehabilitation services to be located in a county in which an academic medical center and a children's hospital are located, and for any construction and for the acquisition of equipment related to those beds. The facility shall be authorized to keep such ventilator dependent or otherwise medically dependent pediatric patients beyond age twenty-one (21) in accordance with regulations of the State Board of Health. For purposes of this paragraph (u), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived, and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived. The beds authorized by this paragraph shall be counted as pediatric skilled nursing facility beds for health planning purposes under Section 41-7-171 et seq. There shall be no prohibition of or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized by this paragraph.
(3) The State Department of Health may grant approval for and issue certificates of need to any person proposing the new construction of, addition to, conversion of beds of or expansion of any health care facility defined in subparagraph (x) (psychiatric residential treatment facility) of Section 41-7-173(h). The total number of beds which may be authorized by such certificates of need shall not exceed three hundred thirty-four (334) beds for the entire state.
(a) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection, the department shall issue a certificate of need to a privately owned psychiatric residential treatment facility in Simpson County for the conversion of sixteen (16) intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded (ICF-MR) beds to psychiatric residential treatment facility beds, provided that facility agrees in writing that the facility shall give priority for the use of those sixteen (16) beds to Mississippi residents who are presently being treated in out-of-state facilities.
(b) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection, the department may issue a certificate or certificates of need for the construction or expansion of psychiatric residential treatment facility beds or the conversion of other beds to psychiatric residential treatment facility beds in Warren County, not to exceed sixty (60) psychiatric residential treatment facility beds, provided that the facility agrees in writing that no more than thirty (30) of the beds at the psychiatric residential treatment facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the use of any patients other than those who are participating only in the Medicaid program of another state, and that no claim will be submitted to the Division of Medicaid for Medicaid reimbursement for more than thirty (30) patients in the psychiatric residential treatment facility in any day or for any patient in the psychiatric residential treatment facility who is in a bed that is not Medicaid-certified. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be a condition of the issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph, and the agreement shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the psychiatric residential treatment facility if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify more than thirty (30) of the beds in the psychiatric residential treatment facility for participation in the Medicaid program for the use of any patients other than those who are participating only in the Medicaid program of another state. If the psychiatric residential treatment facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than thirty (30) patients who are participating in the Mississippi Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has violated the condition upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement.
The State Department of Health, on or before July 1, 2002, shall transfer the certificate of need authorized under the authority of this paragraph (b), or reissue the certificate of need if it has expired, to River Region Health System.
(c) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection, the department shall issue a certificate of need to a hospital currently operating Medicaid-certified acute psychiatric beds for adolescents in DeSoto County, for the establishment of a forty-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility in DeSoto County, provided that the hospital agrees in writing (i) that the hospital shall give priority for the use of those forty (40) beds to Mississippi residents who are presently being treated in out-of-state facilities, and (ii) that no more than fifteen (15) of the beds at the psychiatric residential treatment facility will be certified for participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.), and that no claim will be submitted for Medicaid reimbursement for more than fifteen (15) patients in the psychiatric residential treatment facility in any day or for any patient in the psychiatric residential treatment facility who is in a bed that is not Medicaid-certified. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be a condition of the issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph, and the agreement shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the psychiatric residential treatment facility if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. After this written agreement is executed, the Division of Medicaid and the State Department of Health shall not certify more than fifteen (15) of the beds in the psychiatric residential treatment facility for participation in the Medicaid program. If the psychiatric residential treatment facility violates the terms of the written agreement by admitting or keeping in the facility on a regular or continuing basis more than fifteen (15) patients who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the license of the facility, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has violated the condition upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this paragraph and in the written agreement.
(d) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection, the department may issue a certificate or certificates of need for the construction or expansion of psychiatric residential treatment facility beds or the conversion of other beds to psychiatric treatment facility beds, not to exceed thirty (30) psychiatric residential treatment facility beds, in either Alcorn, Tishomingo, Prentiss, Lee, Itawamba, Monroe, Chickasaw, Pontotoc, Calhoun, Lafayette, Union, Benton or Tippah County.
(e) Of the total number of beds authorized under this subsection (3) the department shall issue a certificate of need to a privately owned, nonprofit psychiatric residential treatment facility in Hinds County for an eight-bed expansion of the facility, provided that the facility agrees in writing that the facility shall give priority for the use of those eight (8) beds to Mississippi residents who are presently being treated in out-of-state facilities.
(f) The department shall issue a certificate of need to a one-hundred-thirty-four-bed specialty hospital located on twenty-nine and forty-four one-hundredths (29.44) commercial acres at 5900 Highway 39 North in Meridian (Lauderdale County), Mississippi, for the addition, construction or expansion of child/adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility beds in Lauderdale County. As a condition of issuance of the certificate of need under this paragraph, the facility shall give priority in admissions to the child/adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility beds authorized under this paragraph to patients who otherwise would require out-of-state placement. The Division of Medicaid, in conjunction with the Department of Human Services, shall furnish the facility a list of all out-of-state patients on a quarterly basis. Furthermore, notice shall also be provided to the parent, custodial parent or guardian of each out-of-state patient notifying them of the priority status granted by this paragraph. For purposes of this paragraph, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of child/adolescent psychiatric residential treatment facility beds that may be authorized under the authority of this paragraph shall be sixty (60) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this paragraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.
(4) (a) From and after July 1, 1993, the department shall not issue a certificate of need to any person for the new construction of any hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital that will contain any child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds, or for the conversion of any other health care facility to a hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital that will contain any child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds, or for the addition of any child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds in any hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital, or for the conversion of any beds of another category in any hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital to child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds, except as hereinafter authorized:
(i) The department may issue certificates of need to any person for any purpose described in this subsection, provided that the hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital does not participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) at the time of the application for the certificate of need and the owner of the hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital agrees in writing that the hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program or admit or keep any patients who are participating in the Medicaid program in the hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this subparagraph (i), and if such hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this subparagraph (i) and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need.
(ii) The department may issue a certificate of need for the conversion of existing beds in a county hospital in Choctaw County from acute care beds to child/adolescent chemical dependency beds. For purposes of this subparagraph (ii), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of beds that may be authorized under authority of this subparagraph shall not exceed twenty (20) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the hospital receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subparagraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.
(iii) The department may issue a certificate or certificates of need for the construction or expansion of child/adolescent psychiatric beds or the conversion of other beds to child/adolescent psychiatric beds in Warren County. For purposes of this subparagraph (iii), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this subparagraph shall not exceed twenty (20) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subparagraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.
If by January 1, 2002, there has been no significant commencement of construction of the beds authorized under this subparagraph (iii), or no significant action taken to convert existing beds to the beds authorized under this subparagraph, then the certificate of need that was previously issued under this subparagraph shall expire. If the previously issued certificate of need expires, the department may accept applications for issuance of another certificate of need for the beds authorized under this subparagraph, and may issue a certificate of need to authorize the construction, expansion or conversion of the beds authorized under this subparagraph.
(iv) The department shall issue a certificate of need to the Region 7 Mental Health/Retardation Commission for the construction or expansion of child/adolescent psychiatric beds or the conversion of other beds to child/adolescent psychiatric beds in any of the counties served by the commission. For purposes of this subparagraph (iv), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this subparagraph shall not exceed twenty (20) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subparagraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.
(v) The department may issue a certificate of need to any county hospital located in Leflore County for the construction or expansion of adult psychiatric beds or the conversion of other beds to adult psychiatric beds, not to exceed twenty (20) beds, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the adult psychiatric beds will not at any time be certified for participation in the Medicaid program and that the hospital will not admit or keep any patients who are participating in the Medicaid program in any of such adult psychiatric beds. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the hospital if the ownership of the hospital is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the adult psychiatric beds will not be certified for participation in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this subparagraph (v), and if such hospital at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the hospital, has any of such adult psychiatric beds certified for participation in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any Medicaid patients in such adult psychiatric beds, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the hospital at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the hospital has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this subparagraph and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need.
(vi) The department may issue a certificate or certificates of need for the expansion of child psychiatric beds or the conversion of other beds to child psychiatric beds at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. For purposes of this subparagraph (vi), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived. The total number of beds that may be authorized under the authority of this subparagraph shall not exceed fifteen (15) beds. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the hospital receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subparagraph or for the beds converted pursuant to the authority of that certificate of need.
(b) From and after July 1, 1990, no hospital, psychiatric hospital or chemical dependency hospital shall be authorized to add any child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds or convert any beds of another category to child/adolescent psychiatric or child/adolescent chemical dependency beds without a certificate of need under the authority of subsection (1)(c) of this section.
(5) The department may issue a certificate of need to a county hospital in Winston County for the conversion of fifteen (15) acute care beds to geriatric psychiatric care beds.
(6) The State Department of Health shall issue a certificate of need to a Mississippi corporation qualified to manage a long-term care hospital as defined in Section 41-7-173(h)(xii) in Harrison County, not to exceed eighty (80) beds, including any necessary renovation or construction required for licensure and certification, provided that the recipient of the certificate of need agrees in writing that the long-term care hospital will not at any time participate in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) or admit or keep any patients in the long-term care hospital who are participating in the Medicaid program. This written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need shall be fully binding on any subsequent owner of the long-term care hospital, if the ownership of the facility is transferred at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need. Agreement that the long-term care hospital will not participate in the Medicaid program shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of need to any person under this subsection (6), and if such long-term care hospital at any time after the issuance of the certificate of need, regardless of the ownership of the facility, participates in the Medicaid program or admits or keeps any patients in the facility who are participating in the Medicaid program, the State Department of Health shall revoke the certificate of need, if it is still outstanding, and shall deny or revoke the license of the long-term care hospital, at the time that the department determines, after a hearing complying with due process, that the facility has failed to comply with any of the conditions upon which the certificate of need was issued, as provided in this subsection and in the written agreement by the recipient of the certificate of need. For purposes of this subsection, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived.
(7) The State Department of Health may issue a certificate of need to any hospital in the state to utilize a portion of its beds for the "swing-bed" concept. Any such hospital must be in conformance with the federal regulations regarding such swing-bed concept at the time it submits its application for a certificate of need to the State Department of Health, except that such hospital may have more licensed beds or a higher average daily census (ADC) than the maximum number specified in federal regulations for participation in the swing-bed program. Any hospital meeting all federal requirements for participation in the swing-bed program which receives such certificate of need shall render services provided under the swing-bed concept to any patient eligible for Medicare (Title XVIII of the Social Security Act) who is certified by a physician to be in need of such services, and no such hospital shall permit any patient who is eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare or eligible only for Medicaid to stay in the swing beds of the hospital for more than thirty (30) days per admission unless the hospital receives prior approval for such patient from the Division of Medicaid, Office of the Governor. Any hospital having more licensed beds or a higher average daily census (ADC) than the maximum number specified in federal regulations for participation in the swing-bed program which receives such certificate of need shall develop a procedure to insure that before a patient is allowed to stay in the swing beds of the hospital, there are no vacant nursing home beds available for that patient located within a fifty-mile radius of the hospital. When any such hospital has a patient staying in the swing beds of the hospital and the hospital receives notice from a nursing home located within such radius that there is a vacant bed available for that patient, the hospital shall transfer the patient to the nursing home within a reasonable time after receipt of the notice. Any hospital which is subject to the requirements of the two (2) preceding sentences of this subsection may be suspended from participation in the swing-bed program for a reasonable period of time by the State Department of Health if the department, after a hearing complying with due process, determines that the hospital has failed to comply with any of those requirements.
(8) The Department of Health shall not grant approval for or issue a certificate of need to any person proposing the new construction of, addition to or expansion of a health care facility as defined in subparagraph (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h), except as hereinafter provided: The department may issue a certificate of need to a nonprofit corporation located in Madison County, Mississippi, for the construction, expansion or conversion of not more than twenty (20) beds in a community living program for developmentally disabled adults in a facility as defined in subparagraph (viii) of Section 41-7-173(h). For purposes of this subsection (8), the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program for the person receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subsection (8).
(9) The Department of Health shall not grant approval for or issue a certificate of need to any person proposing the establishment of, or expansion of the currently approved territory of, or the contracting to establish a home office, subunit or branch office within the space operated as a health care facility as defined in Section 41-7-173(h)(i) through (viii) by a health care facility as defined in subparagraph (ix) of Section 41-7-173(h).
(10) Health care facilities owned and/or operated by the state or its agencies are exempt from the restraints in this section against issuance of a certificate of need if such addition or expansion consists of repairing or renovation necessary to comply with the state licensure law. This exception shall not apply to the new construction of any building by such state facility. This exception shall not apply to any health care facilities owned and/or operated by counties, municipalities, districts, unincorporated areas, other defined persons, or any combination thereof.
(11) The new construction, renovation or expansion of or addition to any health care facility defined in subparagraph (ii) (psychiatric hospital), subparagraph (iv) (skilled nursing facility), subparagraph (vi) (intermediate care facility), subparagraph (viii) (intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded) and subparagraph (x) (psychiatric residential treatment facility) of Section 41-7-173(h) which is owned by the State of Mississippi and under the direction and control of the State Department of Mental Health, and the addition of new beds or the conversion of beds from one category to another in any such defined health care facility which is owned by the State of Mississippi and under the direction and control of the State Department of Mental Health, shall not require the issuance of a certificate of need under Section 41-7-171 et seq., notwithstanding any provision in Section 41-7-171 et seq. to the contrary.
(12) The new construction, renovation or expansion of or addition to any veterans homes or domiciliaries for eligible veterans of the State of Mississippi as authorized under Section 35-1-19 shall not require the issuance of a certificate of need, notwithstanding any provision in Section 41-7-171 et seq. to the contrary.
(13) The repair or the rebuilding of an existing, operating health care facility that sustained significant damage from a natural disaster that occurred after April 15, 2014, in an area that is proclaimed a disaster area or subject to a state of emergency by the Governor or by the President of the United States shall be exempt from all of the requirements of the Mississippi Certificate of Need Law (Section 41-7-171 et seq.) and any and all rules and regulations promulgated under that law, subject to the following conditions:
(a) The repair or the rebuilding of any such damaged health care facility must be within one (1) mile of the pre-disaster location of the campus of the damaged health care facility, except that any temporary post-disaster health care facility operating location may be within five (5) miles of the pre-disaster location of the damaged health care facility;
(b) The repair or the rebuilding of the damaged health care facility (i) does not increase or change the complement of its bed capacity that it had before the Governor's or the President's proclamation, (ii) does not increase or change its levels and types of health care services that it provided before the Governor's or the President's proclamation, and (iii) does not rebuild in a different county; however, this paragraph does not restrict or prevent a health care facility from decreasing its bed capacity that it had before the Governor's or the President's proclamation, or from decreasing the levels of or decreasing or eliminating the types of health care services that it provided before the Governor's or the President's proclamation, when the damaged health care facility is repaired or rebuilt;
(c) The exemption from Certificate of Need Law provided under this subsection (13) is valid for only five (5) years from the date of the Governor's or the President's proclamation. If actual construction has not begun within that five-year period, the exemption provided under this subsection is inapplicable; and
(d) The Division of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification of the State Department of Health shall provide the same oversight for the repair or the rebuilding of the damaged health care facility that it provides to all health care facility construction projects in the state.
For the purposes of this subsection (13), "significant damage" to a health care facility means damage to the health care facility requiring an expenditure of at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00).
(14) The State Department of Health shall issue a certificate of need to any hospital which is currently licensed for two hundred fifty (250) or more acute care beds and is located in any general hospital service area not having a comprehensive cancer center, for the establishment and equipping of such a center which provides facilities and services for outpatient radiation oncology therapy, outpatient medical oncology therapy, and appropriate support services including the provision of radiation therapy services. The provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) regarding substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived for the purpose of this subsection.
(15) The State Department of Health may authorize the transfer of hospital beds, not to exceed sixty (60) beds, from the North Panola Community Hospital to the South Panola Community Hospital. The authorization for the transfer of those beds shall be exempt from the certificate of need review process.
(16) The State Department of Health shall issue any certificates of need necessary for Mississippi State University and a public or private health care provider to jointly acquire and operate a linear accelerator and a magnetic resonance imaging unit. Those certificates of need shall cover all capital expenditures related to the project between Mississippi State University and the health care provider, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of the linear accelerator, the magnetic resonance imaging unit and other radiological modalities; the offering of linear accelerator and magnetic resonance imaging services; and the cost of construction of facilities in which to locate these services. The linear accelerator and the magnetic resonance imaging unit shall be (a) located in the City of Starkville, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi; (b) operated jointly by Mississippi State University and the public or private health care provider selected by Mississippi State University through a request for proposals (RFP) process in which Mississippi State University selects, and the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning approves, the health care provider that makes the best overall proposal; (c) available to Mississippi State University for research purposes two-thirds (2/3) of the time that the linear accelerator and magnetic resonance imaging unit are operational; and (d) available to the public or private health care provider selected by Mississippi State University and approved by the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning one-third (1/3) of the time for clinical, diagnostic and treatment purposes. For purposes of this subsection, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan are waived.
(17) The State Department of Health shall issue a certificate of need for the construction of an acute care hospital in Kemper County, not to exceed twenty-five (25) beds, which shall be named the "John C. Stennis Memorial Hospital." In issuing the certificate of need under this subsection, the department shall give priority to a hospital located in Lauderdale County that has two hundred fifteen (215) beds. For purposes of this subsection, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived. There shall be no prohibition or restrictions on participation in the Medicaid program (Section 43-13-101 et seq.) for the person or entity receiving the certificate of need authorized under this subsection or for the beds constructed under the authority of that certificate of need.
(18) The planning, design, construction, renovation, addition, furnishing and equipping of a clinical research unit at any health care facility defined in Section 41-7-173(h) that is under the direction and control of the University of Mississippi Medical Center and located in Jackson, Mississippi, and the addition of new beds or the conversion of beds from one (1) category to another in any such clinical research unit, shall not require the issuance of a certificate of need under Section 41-7-171 et seq., notwithstanding any provision in Section 41-7-171 et seq. to the contrary.
(19) * * * The provisions of Section 41-7-171
et seq. and all rules and regulations promulgated under those sections shall
not apply to any activity that would otherwise require a certificate of need in
a county that has received a certificate of public convenience and necessity
from the Mississippi Development Authority as a growth and prosperity county
under Section 57-80-9.
(20) Nothing in this section or in any other provision of Section 41-7-171 et seq. shall prevent any nursing facility from designating an appropriate number of existing beds in the facility as beds for providing care exclusively to patients with Alzheimer's disease.
(21) Nothing in this section or any other provision of Section 41-7-171 et seq. shall prevent any health care facility from the new construction, renovation, conversion or expansion of new beds in the facility designated as intensive care units, negative pressure rooms, or isolation rooms pursuant to the provisions of Sections 41-14-1 through 41-14-11. For purposes of this subsection, the provisions of Section 41-7-193(1) requiring substantial compliance with the projection of need as reported in the current State Health Plan and the provisions of Section 41-7-197 requiring a formal certificate of need hearing process are waived.
SECTION 2. Section 25-41-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
25-41-7. (1) Any public body may enter into executive session for the transaction of public business; however, all meetings of any public body shall commence as an open meeting, and an affirmative vote of three-fifths (3/5) of all members present shall be required to declare an executive session.
(2) The procedure to be followed by any public body in declaring an executive session shall be as follows: Any member shall have the right to request by motion a closed determination upon the issue of whether or not to declare an executive session. The motion, by majority vote, shall require the meeting to be closed for a preliminary determination of the necessity for executive session. No other business shall be transacted until the discussion of the nature of the matter requiring executive session has been completed and a vote, as required in subsection (1) hereof, has been taken on the issue.
(3) An executive session shall be limited to matters allowed to be exempted from open meetings by subsection (4) of this section. The reason for holding an executive session shall be stated in an open meeting, and the reason so stated shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that any meeting be closed to the public, nor shall any executive session be used to circumvent or to defeat the purposes of this chapter.
(4) A public body may hold an executive session pursuant to this section for one or more of the following reasons:
(a) Transaction of business and discussion of personnel matters relating to the job performance, character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of a person holding a specific position, or matters relating to the terms of any potential or current employment or services agreement with any physicians or other employees of public hospitals, including any discussion of any person applying for medical staff privileges or membership with a public hospital.
(b) Strategy sessions or negotiations with respect to prospective litigation, litigation or issuance of an appealable order when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body.
(c) Transaction of business and discussion regarding the report, development or course of action regarding security personnel, plans or devices.
(d) Investigative proceedings by any public body regarding allegations of misconduct or violation of law.
(e) Any body of the Legislature which is meeting on matters within the jurisdiction of that body.
(f) Cases of extraordinary emergency which would pose immediate or irrevocable harm or damage to persons or property, or both, within the jurisdiction of the public body.
(g) Transaction of business and discussion regarding the prospective purchase, sale or leasing of lands.
(h) Discussions between a school board and individual students who attend a school within the jurisdiction of the school board or the parents or teachers of the students regarding problems of the students or their parents or teachers.
(i) Transaction of business and discussion concerning the preparation of tests for admission to practice in recognized professions.
(j) Transaction of business and discussions or negotiations regarding the location, relocation or expansion of a business, medical service or an industry.
(k) Transaction of business and discussions regarding employment or job performance of a person in a specific position or termination of an employee holding a specific position. The exemption provided by this paragraph includes transaction of business and discussion in executive session by the board of trustees of a public hospital regarding any employee or medical staff member or applicant for medical staff privileges and any such individual's credentialing, health, performance, salary, raises or disciplinary action. The exemption provided by this paragraph includes the right to enter into executive session concerning a line item in a budget which might affect the termination of an employee or employees. All other budget items shall be considered in open meetings and final budgetary adoption shall not be taken in executive session.
(l) Discussions regarding material or data exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 pursuant to Section 25-11-121.
(m) Transaction of
business and discussion regarding prospective strategic business decisions of
public hospitals, including without limitation, decisions to open a new service
line * * * or
implement capital improvements * * *.
(n) Transaction of business of the boards of trustees of public hospitals that would require discussion of any identifiable patient information, including without limitation, patient complaints, patients' accounts, patients receiving charity care, or treatment that could be identified to a patient.
(5) The total vote on the question of entering into an executive session shall be recorded and spread upon the minutes of the public body.
(6) Any vote whereby an executive session is declared shall be applicable only to that particular meeting on that particular day.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
25-41-7. (1) Any public body may enter into executive session for the transaction of public business; however, all meetings of any public body shall commence as an open meeting, and an affirmative vote of three-fifths (3/5) of all members present shall be required to declare an executive session.
(2) The procedure to be followed by any public body in declaring an executive session shall be as follows: Any member shall have the right to request by motion a closed determination upon the issue of whether or not to declare an executive session. The motion, by majority vote, shall require the meeting to be closed for a preliminary determination of the necessity for executive session. No other business shall be transacted until the discussion of the nature of the matter requiring executive session has been completed and a vote, as required in subsection (1) hereof, has been taken on the issue.
(3) An executive session shall be limited to matters allowed to be exempted from open meetings by subsection (4) of this section. The reason for holding an executive session shall be stated in an open meeting, and the reason so stated shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting. Nothing in this section shall be construed to require that any meeting be closed to the public, nor shall any executive session be used to circumvent or to defeat the purposes of this chapter.
(4) A public body may hold an executive session pursuant to this section for one or more of the following reasons:
(a) Transaction of business and discussion of personnel matters relating to the job performance, character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of a person holding a specific position, or matters relating to the terms of any potential or current employment or services agreement with any physicians or other employees of public hospitals, including any discussion of any person applying for medical staff privileges or membership with a public hospital.
(b) Strategy sessions or negotiations with respect to prospective litigation, litigation or issuance of an appealable order when an open meeting would have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the public body.
(c) Transaction of business and discussion regarding the report, development or course of action regarding security personnel, plans or devices.
(d) Investigative proceedings by any public body regarding allegations of misconduct or violation of law.
(e) Any body of the Legislature which is meeting on matters within the jurisdiction of that body.
(f) Cases of extraordinary emergency which would pose immediate or irrevocable harm or damage to persons or property, or both, within the jurisdiction of the public body.
(g) Transaction of business and discussion regarding the prospective purchase, sale or leasing of lands.
(h) Discussions between a school board and individual students who attend a school within the jurisdiction of the school board or the parents or teachers of the students regarding problems of the students or their parents or teachers.
(i) Transaction of business and discussion concerning the preparation of tests for admission to practice in recognized professions.
(j) Transaction of business and discussions or negotiations regarding the location, relocation or expansion of a business, medical service or an industry.
(k) Transaction of business and discussions regarding employment or job performance of a person in a specific position or termination of an employee holding a specific position. The exemption provided by this paragraph includes transaction of business and discussion in executive session by the board of trustees of a public hospital regarding any employee or medical staff member or applicant for medical staff privileges and any such individual's credentialing, health, performance, salary, raises or disciplinary action. The exemption provided by this paragraph includes the right to enter into executive session concerning a line item in a budget which might affect the termination of an employee or employees. All other budget items shall be considered in open meetings and final budgetary adoption shall not be taken in executive session.
(l) Discussions regarding material or data exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983 pursuant to Section 25-11-121.
(m) Transaction of business and discussion regarding prospective strategic business decisions of public hospitals, including without limitation, decisions to open a new service line, implement capital improvements, or file applications for certificates of need or determinations of nonreviewability with the State Department of Health.
(n) Transaction of business of the boards of trustees of public hospitals that would require discussion of any identifiable patient information, including without limitation, patient complaints, patients' accounts, patients receiving charity care, or treatment that could be identified to a patient.
(5) The total vote on the question of entering into an executive session shall be recorded and spread upon the minutes of the public body.
(6) Any vote whereby an executive session is declared shall be applicable only to that particular meeting on that particular day.
SECTION 3. Section 41-4-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-4-18. (1)
Notwithstanding Section 41-7-191(11) and Section 41-7-171 et seq., * * * or any other section
of law, the Department of Mental Health shall have the authority to contract
with private and/or public entities to transfer beds within Intermediate Care
Facilities for the Mentally Retarded owned and operated by the Department of
Mental Health to locations owned and operated by private and/or public entities
for the purpose of serving individuals with intellectual disabilities in the
settings most appropriate to meet their needs.
(2) Any license granted to
the Department of Mental Health by the Department of Health for the operation
of transferred Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded beds shall
remain in the name of the Department of Mental Health * * *.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-4-18. (1)
Notwithstanding Section 41-7-191(11) and Section 41-7-171 et seq., * * * or any other section
of law, the Department of Mental Health shall have the authority to contract
with private and/or public entities to transfer beds within Intermediate Care
Facilities for the Mentally Retarded owned and operated by the Department of
Mental Health to locations owned and operated by private and/or public entities
for the purpose of serving individuals with intellectual disabilities in the
settings most appropriate to meet their needs.
(2) Any license granted to the Department of Mental Health by the Department of Health for the operation of transferred Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded beds shall remain in the name of the Department of Mental Health and shall not be transferred into the name of the contractor unless the contractor has received the appropriate certificates of need.
SECTION 4. Section 41-9-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-11. Upon receipt of an
application for license and the license fee, the licensing agency shall issue a
license if the applicant and hospital facilities meet the requirements
established under Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9-35 * * *. A
license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually, upon filing
by the licensee, and approval by the licensing agency of an annual report upon
such uniform dates and containing such information in such form as the
licensing agency prescribes by regulation and upon paying the annual fee for
such license as determined by the schedule and provisions of Section 41-9-9.
Each license shall be issued only for the premises and persons or governmental
units named in the application and shall not be transferable or assignable
except with the written approval of the licensing agency. Licenses shall be
posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-11. Upon receipt of an application for license and the license fee, the licensing agency shall issue a license if the applicant and hospital facilities meet the requirements established under Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9-35, and the requirements of Section 41-7-173 et seq., where determined by the licensing agency to be applicable. A license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually, upon filing by the licensee, and approval by the licensing agency of an annual report upon such uniform dates and containing such information in such form as the licensing agency prescribes by regulation and upon paying the annual fee for such license as determined by the schedule and provisions of Section 41-9-9. Each license shall be issued only for the premises and persons or governmental units named in the application and shall not be transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the licensing agency. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.
SECTION 5. Section 41-9-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-23. Information
received by the licensing agency through filed reports, inspection, or as
otherwise authorized under Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9-35 shall not be
disclosed publicly in such manner as to identify individuals, except in a
proceeding involving the questions of licensure; however, the licensing agency
may utilize statistical data concerning types of services and the utilization
of these services for hospitals in performing the * * * duties imposed upon it * * * by
Section 41-9-29.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-23. Information received by the licensing agency through filed reports, inspection, or as otherwise authorized under Sections 41-9-1 through 41-9-35 shall not be disclosed publicly in such manner as to identify individuals, except in a proceeding involving the questions of licensure; however, the licensing agency may utilize statistical data concerning types of services and the utilization of these services for hospitals in performing the statutory duties imposed upon it by Section 41-7-171, et seq. and by Section 41-9-29.
SECTION 6. Section 41-9-68, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-68. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, records maintained by public hospitals shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.
(2) The following records of public hospitals shall not be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983:
(a) The official minutes of the board of trustees of a public hospital;
(b) Financial reports not otherwise exempt that are required by state or federal statute or regulation to be filed with the owner of the public hospital or with any other agency of state or federal government; and
(c) Any other record maintained by a public hospital that does not fall within the definition of the term "hospital records" as that term is defined in Section 41-9-61, except for the following records, which shall be exempt:
(i) Records directly relating to the terms of any potential or current employment or services agreement with any physicians or other employees of a public hospital, including any application for medical staff privileges or membership with a public hospital;
(ii) Records directly relating to the credentialing, health, performance, salary, raises or disciplinary action of any employee or medical staff member or applicant for medical staff privileges at a public hospital;
(iii) Records
directly relating to prospective strategic business decisions of a public
hospital, including without limitation, decisions to open a new service line * * * or implement capital improvements * * *;
and
(iv) Records directly relating to individual patient billing and collection information.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-68. (1) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (2) of this section, records maintained by public hospitals shall be exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.
(2) The following records of public hospitals shall not be exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983:
(a) The official minutes of the board of trustees of a public hospital;
(b) Financial reports not otherwise exempt that are required by state or federal statute or regulation to be filed with the owner of the public hospital or with any other agency of state or federal government; and
(c) Any other record maintained by a public hospital that does not fall within the definition of the term "hospital records" as that term is defined in Section 41-9-61, except for the following records, which shall be exempt:
(i) Records directly relating to the terms of any potential or current employment or services agreement with any physicians or other employees of a public hospital, including any application for medical staff privileges or membership with a public hospital;
(ii) Records directly relating to the credentialing, health, performance, salary, raises or disciplinary action of any employee or medical staff member or applicant for medical staff privileges at a public hospital;
(iii) Records directly relating to prospective strategic business decisions of a public hospital, including without limitation, decisions to open a new service line, implement capital improvements, or file applications for certificates of need or determinations of nonreviewability with the State Department of Health; and
(iv) Records directly relating to individual patient billing and collection information.
SECTION 7. Section 41-9-209, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-209. (1) Any
hospital is authorized to seek designation as a critical access hospital.
Subject to federal law, there shall be no requirement or limitation regarding
the distance that a critical access hospital must be located from another
hospital. The bed-size limit for a critical access hospital is twenty-five
(25) operational acute care beds, and the average maximum length of stay for
patients in a critical access hospital is ninety-six (96) hours, unless a
longer period is required because of inclement weather or other emergency
conditions. * * * If the critical access hospital is a swing bed
facility, any of the twenty-five (25) acute care beds allowed in a critical
access hospital may be used for the provision of extended care services or
acute care inpatient services so long as the furnishing of such services does
not exceed twenty-five (25) beds and so long as the hospital does not seek
Medicaid reimbursement for more than fifteen (15) acute care inpatient beds.
(2) A critical access hospital (a) must make available twenty-four-hour emergency care services, as described in the state rural health care plan, for ensuring access to emergency care services in the rural area served by the critical access hospital, and (b) must be a member of a rural health network. Any hospital that has a distinct-part skilled nursing facility, certified under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, at the time it applies for designation as a critical access hospital, may continue its operation of the distinct-part skilled nursing facility and is not required to count the beds in the distinct-part skilled nursing facility for purposes of the allowed twenty-five (25) acute care inpatient beds.
(3) * * * A critical access hospital may establish a distinct-part
psychiatric unit and a distinct-part rehabilitation unit, each of which must be
certified under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act and each of
which may consist of no more than ten (10) beds. No bed in the critical access
hospital's distinct-part psychiatric unit or distinct-part rehabilitation unit shall
be counted for purposes of the twenty-five (25) bed limitation. Each distinct-part
unit in a critical access hospital must comply with all applicable state
licensure laws and federal certification laws.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-209. (1) Any
hospital is authorized to seek designation as a critical access hospital.
Subject to federal law, there shall be no requirement or limitation regarding
the distance that a critical access hospital must be located from another
hospital. The bed-size limit for a critical access hospital is twenty-five
(25) operational acute care beds, and the average maximum length of stay for
patients in a critical access hospital is ninety-six (96) hours, unless a
longer period is required because of inclement weather or other emergency
conditions. * * * If the critical access hospital is a swing bed
facility, any of the twenty-five (25) acute care beds allowed in a critical
access hospital may be used for the provision of extended care services or
acute care inpatient services so long as the furnishing of such services does
not exceed twenty-five (25) beds and so long as the hospital does not seek
Medicaid reimbursement for more than fifteen (15) acute care inpatient beds.
(2) A critical access hospital (a) must make available twenty-four-hour emergency care services, as described in the state rural health care plan, for ensuring access to emergency care services in the rural area served by the critical access hospital, and (b) must be a member of a rural health network. Any hospital that has a distinct-part skilled nursing facility, certified under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, at the time it applies for designation as a critical access hospital, may continue its operation of the distinct-part skilled nursing facility and is not required to count the beds in the distinct-part skilled nursing facility for purposes of the allowed twenty-five (25) acute care inpatient beds.
(3) To the extent permitted under Section 41-7-171 et seq., a critical access hospital may establish a distinct-part psychiatric unit and a distinct-part rehabilitation unit, each of which must be certified under Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act and each of which may consist of no more than ten (10) beds. No bed in the critical access hospital's distinct-part psychiatric unit or distinct-part rehabilitation unit shall be counted for purposes of the twenty-five (25) bed limitation. Each distinct-part unit in a critical access hospital must comply with all applicable state licensure laws and federal certification laws.
SECTION 8. Section 41-9-210, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-210. If a hospital
seeks a new license from the department in order to be designated as a critical
access hospital, the department shall maintain a record of the acute care beds
of that hospital that have been delicensed as a result of that designation and
continue counting those beds as part of the state's total acute care bed count
for health care planning purposes. If a critical access hospital later desires
to relicense some or all of its delicensed acute care beds, it shall notify the
department of its intent to increase the number of its licensed acute care
beds. The department shall survey the hospital within thirty (30) days of that
notice and, if appropriate, issue the hospital a new license reflecting the new
contingent of beds. * * *
This section shall apply to all hospitals that are designated as critical access hospitals on July 1, 2003, and all hospitals that may become designated as critical access hospitals after July 1, 2003.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-9-210. If a hospital seeks a new license from the department in order to be designated as a critical access hospital, the department shall maintain a record of the acute care beds of that hospital that have been delicensed as a result of that designation and continue counting those beds as part of the state's total acute care bed count for health care planning purposes. If a critical access hospital later desires to relicense some or all of its delicensed acute care beds, it shall notify the department of its intent to increase the number of its licensed acute care beds. The department shall survey the hospital within thirty (30) days of that notice and, if appropriate, issue the hospital a new license reflecting the new contingent of beds. That change may be accomplished without the need of the hospital to seek certificate of need approval under Section 41-7-171 et seq. However, in no event may a hospital that has delicensed some of its acute care beds in order to be designated as a critical access hospital be reissued a license to operate acute care beds in excess of its acute care bed count before the delicensure of some of its beds without seeking certificate of need approval.
This section shall apply to all hospitals that are designated as critical access hospitals on July 1, 2003, and all hospitals that may become designated as critical access hospitals after July 1, 2003.
SECTION 9. Section 41-9-311, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[This section shall be in effect only in those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19).] 41-9-311. Nothing in this act exempts hospitals from compliance with the provisions of Section 41-7-171 et seq. concerning certificates of need.
SECTION 10. Section 41-71-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-71-7. Upon receipt of an
application for a license and the license fee, and a determination by the
licensing agency that the application is * * * in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, such license
shall be issued. A license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable
annually upon payment by the licensee of a renewal fee of One Thousand Dollars
($1,000.00) and upon approval by the licensing agency of an annual report,
required to be submitted by the licensee, containing such information in such
form and at such time as the licensing agency prescribes by rule or
regulation. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this
section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. Each
license shall be issued only for the home health agency and person or persons
or other legal entity or entities named in the application and shall not be
transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the licensing
agency. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the designated
business office of the licensee. Each licensee shall designate, in writing,
one (1) individual person as the responsible party for the conducting of the
business of the home health agency with the licensing agency.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-71-7. Upon receipt of an application for a license and the license fee, and a determination by the licensing agency that the application is in compliance with Section 41-7-173 et seq. and in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, such license shall be issued. A license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually upon payment by the licensee of a renewal fee of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) and upon approval by the licensing agency of an annual report, required to be submitted by the licensee, containing such information in such form and at such time as the licensing agency prescribes by rule or regulation. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. Each license shall be issued only for the home health agency and person or persons or other legal entity or entities named in the application and shall not be transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the licensing agency. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the designated business office of the licensee. Each licensee shall designate, in writing, one (1) individual person as the responsible party for the conducting of the business of the home health agency with the licensing agency.
SECTION 11. Section 41-71-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-71-19. Information
received by the licensing agency through filed reports, inspection, or as
otherwise authorized under this chapter, shall not be disclosed publicly in
such manner as to identify individuals, except in proceedings involving the
question of licensure; however, the licensing agency may utilize statistical
data concerning types of services and the utilization of those services for
home health care agencies in performing the * * * duties imposed upon it by * * *
regulations necessarily promulgated for participation in the Medicare or
Medicaid programs.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-71-19. Information received by the licensing agency through filed reports, inspection, or as otherwise authorized under this chapter, shall not be disclosed publicly in such manner as to identify individuals, except in proceedings involving the question of licensure; however, the licensing agency may utilize statistical data concerning types of services and the utilization of those services for home health care agencies in performing the statutory duties imposed upon it by Section 41-7-171 et seq., and regulations necessarily promulgated for participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
SECTION 12. Section 41-73-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-73-5. When used in this act, unless the context requires a different definition, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Act" means the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority Act.
(b) "Authority" means the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority created by this act and any successor to its functions.
(c) "Bonds" means bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the authority issued pursuant to this act, including refunding bonds.
(d) "Cost" as applied to hospital equipment means any and all costs of such hospital equipment and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include the following:
(i) All costs of the acquisition, repair, restoration, reconditioning, refinancing or installation of any such hospital equipment and all costs incident or related thereto;
(ii) The cost of any property interest in such hospital equipment including an option to purchase or leasehold interest;
(iii) The cost of architectural, engineering, legal and related services; the cost of the preparation of plans, specifications, studies, surveys and estimates of cost and of revenue; and all other expenses necessary or incident to planning, providing or determining the need for or the feasibility and practicability of such hospital equipment; and the cost of providing or establishing a reasonable reserve fund for the payment of principal and interest on bonds;
(iv) The cost of financing charges, including premiums or prepayment penalties, if any, and interest accrued prior to the acquisition and installation or refinancing of such hospital equipment and after such acquisition and installation or refinancing and start-up costs related to hospital equipment;
(v) Any and all costs paid or incurred in connection with the financing of such hospital equipment, including out-of-pocket expenses, the cost of financing, legal, accounting, financial advisory and consulting fees, expenses and disbursements; the cost of any policy of insurance; the cost of printing, engraving and reproduction services; and the cost of the initial or acceptance fee of any trustee or paying agent;
(vi) All direct or indirect costs of the authority incurred in connection with providing such hospital equipment, including, without limitation, reasonable sums to reimburse the authority for time spent by its agents or employees with respect to providing such hospital equipment and the financing thereof; and
(vii) Any and all costs paid or incurred for the administration of any program for the purchase or lease of or the making of loans for hospital equipment, by the authority and any program for the sale or lease of or the making of loans for such hospital equipment to any participating hospital institution.
(e) "Cost," as applied to hospital facilities, means any and all costs of such hospital facilities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include the following:
(i) All costs of the establishment, demolition, site development of new and rehabilitated buildings, rehabilitation, reconstruction repair, erection, building, construction, remodeling, adding to and furnishing of any such hospital facilities and all costs incident or related thereto;
(ii) The cost of acquiring any property interest in such hospital facilities including the purchase thereof, the cost of an option to purchase or the cost of any leasehold interest;
(iii) The cost of architectural, engineering, legal and related services; the cost of the preparation of plans, specifications, studies, surveys and estimates of cost and of revenue; all other expenses necessary or incident to planning, providing or determining the need for or the feasibility and practicability of such hospital facilities or the acquisition thereof; and the cost of providing or establishing a reasonable reserve fund for the payment of principal of and interest on bonds;
(iv) The cost of financing charges, including premiums or prepayment penalties, if any, and interest accrued prior to the acquisition and completion or refinancing of such hospital facilities and after such acquisition and completion or refinancing and start-up costs related to hospital facilities;
(v) Any and all costs paid or incurred in connection with the financing of such hospital facilities, including out-of-pocket expenses, the cost of financing, legal, accounting, financial advisory and consulting fees, expenses and disbursement; the cost of any policy of insurance; the cost of printing, engraving and reproduction services; and the cost of the initial or acceptance fee of any trustee or paying agent;
(vi) All direct or indirect costs of the authority incurred in connection with providing such hospital facilities, including, without limitation, reasonable sums to reimburse the authority for time spent by its agents or employees with respect to providing such hospital facilities and the financing thereof;
(vii) Any and all costs paid or incurred for the administration of any program for the purchase or lease of or the making of loans for hospital facilities, by the authority and any program for the sale or lease of or the making of loans for such hospital facilities to any participating hospital institution; and
(viii) The cost of providing for the payment or the making provision for the payment of, by the appropriate escrowing of monies or securities, the principal of and interest on which when due will be adequate to make such payment, any indebtedness encumbering the revenues or property of a participating hospital institution, whether such payment is to be effected by redemption of such indebtedness prior to maturity or not.
(f) "Hospital
equipment" means any personal property which is found and determined by
the authority to be required or necessary or helpful for medical care,
research, training or teaching, any one (1) or all, in hospital facilities
located in the state, irrespective of whether such property is in existence at
the time of, or is to be provided after the making of, such finding. * * *
(g) "Hospital facility" or "hospital facilities" means buildings and structures of any and all types used or useful, in the discretion of the authority, for providing any types of care to the sick, wounded, infirmed, needy, mentally incompetent or elderly and shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, out-patient clinics, laboratories, laundries, nurses', doctors' or interns' residences, administration buildings, office buildings, facilities for research directly involved with hospital care, maintenance, storage or utility facilities, parking lots, and garages and all necessary, useful, or related furnishings, and appurtenances and all lands necessary or convenient as a site for the foregoing.
(h) "Participating hospital institution" or "hospital institution" means a public or private corporation, association, foundation, trust, cooperative, agency, body politic, or other person or organization which provides or operates or proposes to provide or operate hospital facilities not for profit, and which, pursuant to the provisions of this act, contracts with the authority for the financing or refinancing of the lease or other acquisition of hospital equipment or hospital facilities, or both.
(i) "State" means the State of Mississippi.
The use of singular terms herein shall also include the plural of such term and the use of a plural term herein shall also include the singular of such term unless the context clearly requires a different connotation.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-73-5. When used in this act, unless the context requires a different definition, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Act" means the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority Act.
(b) "Authority" means the Mississippi Hospital Equipment and Facilities Authority created by this act and any successor to its functions.
(c) "Bonds" means bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness of the authority issued pursuant to this act, including refunding bonds.
(d) "Cost" as applied to hospital equipment means any and all costs of such hospital equipment and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include the following:
(i) All costs of the acquisition, repair, restoration, reconditioning, refinancing or installation of any such hospital equipment and all costs incident or related thereto;
(ii) The cost of any property interest in such hospital equipment including an option to purchase or leasehold interest;
(iii) The cost of architectural, engineering, legal and related services; the cost of the preparation of plans, specifications, studies, surveys and estimates of cost and of revenue; and all other expenses necessary or incident to planning, providing or determining the need for or the feasibility and practicability of such hospital equipment; and the cost of providing or establishing a reasonable reserve fund for the payment of principal and interest on bonds;
(iv) The cost of financing charges, including premiums or prepayment penalties, if any, and interest accrued prior to the acquisition and installation or refinancing of such hospital equipment and after such acquisition and installation or refinancing and start-up costs related to hospital equipment;
(v) Any and all costs paid or incurred in connection with the financing of such hospital equipment, including out-of-pocket expenses, the cost of financing, legal, accounting, financial advisory and consulting fees, expenses and disbursements; the cost of any policy of insurance; the cost of printing, engraving and reproduction services; and the cost of the initial or acceptance fee of any trustee or paying agent;
(vi) All direct or indirect costs of the authority incurred in connection with providing such hospital equipment, including, without limitation, reasonable sums to reimburse the authority for time spent by its agents or employees with respect to providing such hospital equipment and the financing thereof; and
(vii) Any and all costs paid or incurred for the administration of any program for the purchase or lease of or the making of loans for hospital equipment, by the authority and any program for the sale or lease of or the making of loans for such hospital equipment to any participating hospital institution.
(e) "Cost," as applied to hospital facilities, means any and all costs of such hospital facilities and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shall include the following:
(i) All costs of the establishment, demolition, site development of new and rehabilitated buildings, rehabilitation, reconstruction repair, erection, building, construction, remodeling, adding to and furnishing of any such hospital facilities and all costs incident or related thereto;
(ii) The cost of acquiring any property interest in such hospital facilities including the purchase thereof, the cost of an option to purchase or the cost of any leasehold interest;
(iii) The cost of architectural, engineering, legal and related services; the cost of the preparation of plans, specifications, studies, surveys and estimates of cost and of revenue; all other expenses necessary or incident to planning, providing or determining the need for or the feasibility and practicability of such hospital facilities or the acquisition thereof; and the cost of providing or establishing a reasonable reserve fund for the payment of principal of and interest on bonds;
(iv) The cost of financing charges, including premiums or prepayment penalties, if any, and interest accrued prior to the acquisition and completion or refinancing of such hospital facilities and after such acquisition and completion or refinancing and start-up costs related to hospital facilities;
(v) Any and all costs paid or incurred in connection with the financing of such hospital facilities, including out-of-pocket expenses, the cost of financing, legal, accounting, financial advisory and consulting fees, expenses and disbursement; the cost of any policy of insurance; the cost of printing, engraving and reproduction services; and the cost of the initial or acceptance fee of any trustee or paying agent;
(vi) All direct or indirect costs of the authority incurred in connection with providing such hospital facilities, including, without limitation, reasonable sums to reimburse the authority for time spent by its agents or employees with respect to providing such hospital facilities and the financing thereof;
(vii) Any and all costs paid or incurred for the administration of any program for the purchase or lease of or the making of loans for hospital facilities, by the authority and any program for the sale or lease of or the making of loans for such hospital facilities to any participating hospital institution; and
(viii) The cost of providing for the payment or the making provision for the payment of, by the appropriate escrowing of monies or securities, the principal of and interest on which when due will be adequate to make such payment, any indebtedness encumbering the revenues or property of a participating hospital institution, whether such payment is to be effected by redemption of such indebtedness prior to maturity or not.
(f) "Hospital equipment" means any personal property which is found and determined by the authority to be required or necessary or helpful for medical care, research, training or teaching, any one (1) or all, in hospital facilities located in the state, irrespective of whether such property is in existence at the time of, or is to be provided after the making of, such finding. Provided further, that major medical equipment as defined in Section 41-7-173(n), shall require a certificate of need prior to the approval of the authority to contract with said hospital.
(g) "Hospital facility" or "hospital facilities" means buildings and structures of any and all types used or useful, in the discretion of the authority, for providing any types of care to the sick, wounded, infirmed, needy, mentally incompetent or elderly and shall include, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, out-patient clinics, laboratories, laundries, nurses', doctors' or interns' residences, administration buildings, office buildings, facilities for research directly involved with hospital care, maintenance, storage or utility facilities, parking lots, and garages and all necessary, useful, or related furnishings, and appurtenances and all lands necessary or convenient as a site for the foregoing.
(h) "Participating hospital institution" or "hospital institution" means a public or private corporation, association, foundation, trust, cooperative, agency, body politic, or other person or organization which provides or operates or proposes to provide or operate hospital facilities not for profit, and which, pursuant to the provisions of this act, contracts with the authority for the financing or refinancing of the lease or other acquisition of hospital equipment or hospital facilities, or both.
(i) "State" means the State of Mississippi.
The use of singular terms herein shall also include the plural of such term and the use of a plural term herein shall also include the singular of such term unless the context clearly requires a different connotation.
SECTION 13. Section 41-75-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-75-1. For the purpose of this chapter:
(a) "Ambulatory surgical facility" means a publicly or privately owned institution that is primarily organized, constructed, renovated or otherwise established for the purpose of providing elective surgical treatment of "outpatients" whose recovery, under normal and routine circumstances, will not require "inpatient" care. The facility defined in this paragraph does not include the offices of private physicians or dentists, whether practicing individually or in groups, but does include organizations or facilities primarily engaged in that outpatient surgery, whether using the name "ambulatory surgical facility" or a similar or different name. That organization or facility, if in any manner considered to be operated or owned by a hospital or a hospital holding, leasing or management company, either for profit or not for profit, is required to comply with all licensing agency ambulatory surgical licensure standards governing a "hospital affiliated" facility as adopted under Section 41-9-1 et seq., provided that the organization or facility does not intend to seek federal certification as an ambulatory surgical facility as provided for at 42 CFR, Parts 405 and 416. If the organization or facility is to be operated or owned by a hospital or a hospital holding, leasing or management company and intends to seek federal certification as an ambulatory facility, then the facility is considered to be "freestanding" and must comply with all licensing agency ambulatory surgical licensure standards governing a "freestanding" facility.
If the organization or facility is to be owned or operated by an entity or person other than a hospital or hospital holding, leasing or management company, then the organization or facility must comply with all licensing agency ambulatory surgical facility standards governing a "freestanding" facility.
(b) "Hospital affiliated" ambulatory surgical facility means a separate and distinct organized unit of a hospital or a building owned, leased, rented or utilized by a hospital and located in the same county in which the hospital is located, for the primary purpose of performing ambulatory surgery procedures. The facility is not required to be separately licensed under this chapter and may operate under the hospital's license in compliance with all applicable requirements of Section 41-9-1 et seq.
(c)
"Freestanding" ambulatory surgical facility means a separate and
distinct facility or a separate and distinct organized unit of a hospital
owned, leased, rented or utilized by a hospital or other persons for the
primary purpose of performing ambulatory surgery procedures. The facility must
be separately licensed as defined in this section and must comply with all
licensing standards promulgated by the licensing agency under this chapter
regarding a "freestanding" ambulatory surgical facility. Further,
the facility must be a separate, identifiable entity and must be physically,
administratively and financially independent and distinct from other operations
of any other health facility, and shall maintain a separate organized medical
and administrative staff. * * * Furthermore, once licensed as a "freestanding" ambulatory
surgical facility, the facility shall not become a component of any other
health facility without securing a certificate of need to do that.
(d) "Ambulatory surgery" means surgical procedures that are more complex than office procedures performed under local anesthesia, but less complex than major procedures requiring prolonged postoperative monitoring and hospital care to ensure safe recovery and desirable results. General anesthesia is used in most cases. The patient must arrive at the facility and expect to be discharged on the same day. Ambulatory surgery shall only be performed by physicians or dentists licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi.
(e) "Abortion" means the use or prescription of any instrument, medicine, drug or any other substances or device to terminate the pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant with an intention other than to increase the probability of a live birth, to preserve the life or health of the child after live birth or to remove a dead fetus. Abortion procedures after the first trimester shall only be performed at a Level I abortion facility or an ambulatory surgical facility or hospital licensed to perform that service.
(f) "Abortion facility" means a facility operating substantially for the purpose of performing abortions and is a separate identifiable legal entity from any other health care facility. Abortions shall only be performed by physicians licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi. All physicians associated with the abortion facility must have admitting privileges at a local hospital and staff privileges to replace local hospital on-staff physicians. All physicians associated with an abortion facility must be board certified or eligible in obstetrics and gynecology, and a staff member trained in CPR shall always be present at the abortion facility when it is open. The term "abortion facility" includes physicians' offices that are used substantially for the purpose of performing abortions. An abortion facility operates substantially for the purpose of performing abortions if any of the following conditions are met:
(i) The abortion facility is a provider for performing ten (10) or more abortion procedures per calendar month during any month of a calendar year, or one hundred (100) or more in a calendar year.
(ii) The abortion facility, if operating less than twenty (20) days per calendar month, is a provider for performing ten (10) or more abortion procedures, or performing a number of abortion procedures that would be equivalent to ten (10) procedures per month, if the facility were operating twenty (20) or more days per calendar month, in any month of a calendar year.
(iii) The abortion facility holds itself out to the public as an abortion provider by advertising by any public means, such as newspaper, telephone directory, magazine or electronic media, that it performs abortions.
(iv) The facility applies to the licensing agency for licensure as an abortion facility.
(g) "Licensing agency" means the State Department of Health.
(h) "Operating" an abortion facility means that the facility is open for any period of time during a day and has on site at the facility or on call a physician licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi available to provide abortions.
An abortion facility may apply to be licensed as a Level I facility or a Level II facility by the licensing agency. Level II abortion facilities shall be required to meet minimum standards for abortion facilities as established by the licensing agency. Level I abortion facilities shall be required to meet minimum standards for abortion facilities and minimum standards for ambulatory surgical facilities as established by the licensing agency.
Any abortion facility that begins operation after June 30, 1996, shall not be located within one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet from the property on which any church, school or kindergarten is located. An abortion facility shall not be in violation of this paragraph if it is in compliance with this paragraph on the date it begins operation and the property on which a church, school or kindergarten is located within one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet from the facility.
(i) "Freestanding emergency room" is a facility open twenty-four (24) hours a day for the treatment of urgent and emergent medical conditions which is not located on a hospital campus. In order to be eligible for licensure under this chapter, the freestanding emergency room shall be located at least fifteen (15) miles from the nearest hospital-based emergency room in any rural community where the federal CMMS had previously designated a rural hospital as a critical access hospital and that designation has been revoked.
(j) "Post-acute residential brain injury rehabilitation facility" is a facility containing no more than twelve (12) beds providing medically directed long-term but nonacute rehabilitation to patients who have acquired brain injury. In order to be eligible for licensure under this chapter, the post-acute residential brain injury rehabilitation facility shall be located at least twenty-five (25) miles from the nearest acute care rehabilitation hospital and at least five (5) miles from the boundaries of any municipality having a population of ten thousand (10,000) or more, according to the most recent federal decennial census, at the time that facility is established.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-75-1. For the purpose of this chapter:
(a) "Ambulatory surgical facility" means a publicly or privately owned institution that is primarily organized, constructed, renovated or otherwise established for the purpose of providing elective surgical treatment of "outpatients" whose recovery, under normal and routine circumstances, will not require "inpatient" care. The facility defined in this paragraph does not include the offices of private physicians or dentists, whether practicing individually or in groups, but does include organizations or facilities primarily engaged in that outpatient surgery, whether using the name "ambulatory surgical facility" or a similar or different name. That organization or facility, if in any manner considered to be operated or owned by a hospital or a hospital holding, leasing or management company, either for profit or not for profit, is required to comply with all licensing agency ambulatory surgical licensure standards governing a "hospital affiliated" facility as adopted under Section 41-9-1 et seq., provided that the organization or facility does not intend to seek federal certification as an ambulatory surgical facility as provided for at 42 CFR, Parts 405 and 416. If the organization or facility is to be operated or owned by a hospital or a hospital holding, leasing or management company and intends to seek federal certification as an ambulatory facility, then the facility is considered to be "freestanding" and must comply with all licensing agency ambulatory surgical licensure standards governing a "freestanding" facility.
If the organization or facility is to be owned or operated by an entity or person other than a hospital or hospital holding, leasing or management company, then the organization or facility must comply with all licensing agency ambulatory surgical facility standards governing a "freestanding" facility.
(b) "Hospital affiliated" ambulatory surgical facility means a separate and distinct organized unit of a hospital or a building owned, leased, rented or utilized by a hospital and located in the same county in which the hospital is located, for the primary purpose of performing ambulatory surgery procedures. The facility is not required to be separately licensed under this chapter and may operate under the hospital's license in compliance with all applicable requirements of Section 41-9-1 et seq.
(c) "Freestanding" ambulatory surgical facility means a separate and distinct facility or a separate and distinct organized unit of a hospital owned, leased, rented or utilized by a hospital or other persons for the primary purpose of performing ambulatory surgery procedures. The facility must be separately licensed as defined in this section and must comply with all licensing standards promulgated by the licensing agency under this chapter regarding a "freestanding" ambulatory surgical facility. Further, the facility must be a separate, identifiable entity and must be physically, administratively and financially independent and distinct from other operations of any other health facility, and shall maintain a separate organized medical and administrative staff. Furthermore, once licensed as a "freestanding" ambulatory surgical facility, the facility shall not become a component of any other health facility without securing a certificate of need to do that.
(d) "Ambulatory surgery" means surgical procedures that are more complex than office procedures performed under local anesthesia, but less complex than major procedures requiring prolonged postoperative monitoring and hospital care to ensure safe recovery and desirable results. General anesthesia is used in most cases. The patient must arrive at the facility and expect to be discharged on the same day. Ambulatory surgery shall only be performed by physicians or dentists licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi.
(e) "Abortion" means the use or prescription of any instrument, medicine, drug or any other substances or device to terminate the pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant with an intention other than to increase the probability of a live birth, to preserve the life or health of the child after live birth or to remove a dead fetus. Abortion procedures after the first trimester shall only be performed at a Level I abortion facility or an ambulatory surgical facility or hospital licensed to perform that service.
(f) "Abortion facility" means a facility operating substantially for the purpose of performing abortions and is a separate identifiable legal entity from any other health care facility. Abortions shall only be performed by physicians licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi. All physicians associated with the abortion facility must have admitting privileges at a local hospital and staff privileges to replace local hospital on-staff physicians. All physicians associated with an abortion facility must be board certified or eligible in obstetrics and gynecology, and a staff member trained in CPR shall always be present at the abortion facility when it is open. The term "abortion facility" includes physicians' offices that are used substantially for the purpose of performing abortions. An abortion facility operates substantially for the purpose of performing abortions if any of the following conditions are met:
(i) The abortion facility is a provider for performing ten (10) or more abortion procedures per calendar month during any month of a calendar year, or one hundred (100) or more in a calendar year.
(ii) The abortion facility, if operating less than twenty (20) days per calendar month, is a provider for performing ten (10) or more abortion procedures, or performing a number of abortion procedures that would be equivalent to ten (10) procedures per month, if the facility were operating twenty (20) or more days per calendar month, in any month of a calendar year.
(iii) The abortion facility holds itself out to the public as an abortion provider by advertising by any public means, such as newspaper, telephone directory, magazine or electronic media, that it performs abortions.
(iv) The facility applies to the licensing agency for licensure as an abortion facility.
(g) "Licensing agency" means the State Department of Health.
(h) "Operating" an abortion facility means that the facility is open for any period of time during a day and has on site at the facility or on call a physician licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi available to provide abortions.
An abortion facility may apply to be licensed as a Level I facility or a Level II facility by the licensing agency. Level II abortion facilities shall be required to meet minimum standards for abortion facilities as established by the licensing agency. Level I abortion facilities shall be required to meet minimum standards for abortion facilities and minimum standards for ambulatory surgical facilities as established by the licensing agency.
Any abortion facility that begins operation after June 30, 1996, shall not be located within one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet from the property on which any church, school or kindergarten is located. An abortion facility shall not be in violation of this paragraph if it is in compliance with this paragraph on the date it begins operation and the property on which a church, school or kindergarten is located within one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet from the facility.
(i) "Freestanding emergency room" is a facility open twenty-four (24) hours a day for the treatment of urgent and emergent medical conditions which is not located on a hospital campus. In order to be eligible for licensure under this chapter, the freestanding emergency room shall be located at least fifteen (15) miles from the nearest hospital-based emergency room in any rural community where the federal CMMS had previously designated a rural hospital as a critical access hospital and that designation has been revoked.
(j) "Post-acute residential brain injury rehabilitation facility" is a facility containing no more than twelve (12) beds providing medically directed long-term but nonacute rehabilitation to patients who have acquired brain injury. In order to be eligible for licensure under this chapter, the post-acute residential brain injury rehabilitation facility shall be located at least twenty-five (25) miles from the nearest acute care rehabilitation hospital and at least five (5) miles from the boundaries of any municipality having a population of ten thousand (10,000) or more, according to the most recent federal decennial census, at the time that facility is established.
SECTION 14. Section 41-75-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-75-9. Upon receipt of an
application for license and the license fee, the licensing agency shall issue a
license if the applicant and the institutional facilities meet the requirements
established under this chapter * * *. A
license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually upon payment
of a renewal fee of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), which shall be paid to
the licensing agency, and upon filing by the licensee and approval by the
licensing agency of an annual report upon such uniform dates and containing
such information in such form as the licensing agency requires. Any increase
in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this section shall be in accordance
with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. Each license shall be issued only for
the premises and person or persons named in the application and shall not be
transferable or assignable. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place on
the licensed premises.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-75-9. Upon receipt of an application for license and the license fee, the licensing agency shall issue a license if the applicant and the institutional facilities meet the requirements established under this chapter and the requirements of Section 41-7-173 et seq. where determined by the licensing agency to be applicable. A license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually upon payment of a renewal fee of Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.00), which shall be paid to the licensing agency, and upon filing by the licensee and approval by the licensing agency of an annual report upon such uniform dates and containing such information in such form as the licensing agency requires. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. Each license shall be issued only for the premises and person or persons named in the application and shall not be transferable or assignable. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.
SECTION 15. Section 41-75-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-75-25. Any person or
persons or other entity or entities establishing, managing or operating an
ambulatory surgical facility or conducting the business of an ambulatory
surgical facility without the required license, or which otherwise violate any
of the provisions of this chapter * * *, or the rules, regulations or standards
promulgated in furtherance of any law in which the * * * licensing agency has
authority therefor shall be subject to the following penalties and
sanctions * * *:
(a) Revocation of the license of the ambulatory surgical facility or a designated section, component or service thereof; or
(b) Nonlicensure of a specific or designated service offered by the ambulatory surgical facility.
In addition, any violation of any provision of this chapter or any rules or regulations promulgated in furtherance thereof by intent, fraud, deceit, unlawful design, willful and/or deliberate misrepresentation, or by careless, negligent or incautious disregard for such statutes or rules and regulations, either by persons acting individually or in concert with others, shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each such offense. Each day of continuing violation shall be considered a separate offense. The venue for prosecution of any such violation shall be in any county of the state in which any such violation, or portion thereof, occurred.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-75-25. Any person or
persons or other entity or entities establishing, managing or operating an
ambulatory surgical facility or conducting the business of an ambulatory
surgical facility without the required license, or which otherwise violate any
of the provisions of this chapter or the "Mississippi Health Care
Commission Law of 1979," as amended, or the rules, regulations or
standards promulgated in furtherance of any law in which the * * * licensing agency has
authority therefor shall be subject to the penalties and sanctions of Section
41-7-209 * * *.
SECTION 16. Section 41-77-1, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-77-1. For purposes of this chapter:
(a) "Birthing
center" * * *
means a publicly or privately owned facility, place or institution
constructed, renovated, leased or otherwise established where nonemergency
births are planned to occur away from the mother's usual residence following a
documented period of prenatal care for a normal uncomplicated pregnancy which
has been determined to be low risk through a formal risk scoring examination.
Care provided in a birthing center shall be provided by a licensed physician,
or certified nurse midwife, and a registered nurse. Services provided in a
birthing center shall be limited in the following manner: (i) surgical
services shall be limited to those normally performed during uncomplicated
childbirth, such as episiotomy and repair, and shall not include operative
obstetrics or caesarean sections; (ii) labor shall not be inhibited, stimulated
or augmented with chemical agents during the first or second stage of labor;
(iii) systemic analgesia may be administered and local anesthesia for pudental
block and episiotomy repair may be performed. General and conductive
anesthesia shall not be administered at birthing centers; (iv) patients shall
not remain in the facility in excess of twenty-four (24) hours.
Hospitals are excluded from the definition of a "birthing center" unless they choose to and are qualified to designate a portion or part of the hospital as a birthing center, and nothing herein shall be construed as referring to the usual service provided the pregnant female in the obstetric-gynecology service of an acute care hospital. Such facility or center, as heretofore stated, shall include the offices of physicians in private practice alone or in groups of two (2) or more; and such facility or center rendering service to pregnant female persons, as stated heretofore and by the rules and regulations promulgated by the licensing agency in furtherance thereof, shall be deemed to be a "birthing center" whether using a similar or different name. Such center or facility if in any manner is deemed to be or considered to be operated or owned by a hospital or a hospital holding leasing or management company, for profit or not for profit, is required to comply with all birthing center standards governing a "hospital affiliated" birthing center as adopted by the licensing authority.
(b) "Hospital
affiliated" birthing center * * * means a separate and distinct unit
of a hospital or a building owned, leased, rented or utilized by a hospital and
located in the same county as the hospital for the purpose of providing the
service of a "birthing center." Such center or facility is not
required to be licensed separately, and may operate under the license issued to
the hospital if it is in compliance with Section 41-9-1 et seq., where
applicable, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the licensing agency
in furtherance thereof.
(c)
"Freestanding" birthing center * * * means a separate and distinct
facility or center or a separate and distinct organized unit of a hospital or
other * * * entity for the purpose of
performing the service of a "birthing center." Such facility or
center must be separately licensed and must comply with all licensing standards
promulgated by the licensing agency by virtue of this chapter. Further, such
facility or center must be a separate, identifiable entity and must be
physically, administratively and financially independent from other operations
of any hospital or other health care facility or service and shall maintain a
separate and required staff, including administrative staff. * * *
(d) "Licensing
agency" * * *
means the State Department of Health.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-77-1. For purposes of this chapter:
(a) "Birthing
center" * * *
means a publicly or privately owned facility, place or institution
constructed, renovated, leased or otherwise established where nonemergency
births are planned to occur away from the mother's usual residence following a
documented period of prenatal care for a normal uncomplicated pregnancy which
has been determined to be low risk through a formal risk scoring examination.
Care provided in a birthing center shall be provided by a licensed physician,
or certified nurse midwife, and a registered nurse. Services provided in a
birthing center shall be limited in the following manner: (i) surgical
services shall be limited to those normally performed during uncomplicated
childbirth, such as episiotomy and repair, and shall not include operative
obstetrics or caesarean sections; (ii) labor shall not be inhibited, stimulated
or augmented with chemical agents during the first or second stage of labor;
(iii) systemic analgesia may be administered and local anesthesia for pudental
block and episiotomy repair may be performed. General and conductive
anesthesia shall not be administered at birthing centers; (iv) patients shall
not remain in the facility in excess of twenty-four (24) hours.
Hospitals are excluded from the definition of a "birthing center" unless they choose to and are qualified to designate a portion or part of the hospital as a birthing center, and nothing herein shall be construed as referring to the usual service provided the pregnant female in the obstetric-gynecology service of an acute care hospital. Such facility or center, as heretofore stated, shall include the offices of physicians in private practice alone or in groups of two (2) or more; and such facility or center rendering service to pregnant female persons, as stated heretofore and by the rules and regulations promulgated by the licensing agency in furtherance thereof, shall be deemed to be a "birthing center" whether using a similar or different name. Such center or facility if in any manner is deemed to be or considered to be operated or owned by a hospital or a hospital holding leasing or management company, for profit or not for profit, is required to comply with all birthing center standards governing a "hospital affiliated" birthing center as adopted by the licensing authority.
(b) "Hospital
affiliated" birthing center * * * means a separate and distinct unit
of a hospital or a building owned, leased, rented or utilized by a hospital and
located in the same county as the hospital for the purpose of providing the
service of a "birthing center." Such center or facility is not
required to be licensed separately, and may operate under the license issued to
the hospital if it is in compliance with Section 41-9-1 et seq., where
applicable, and the rules and regulations promulgated by the licensing agency
in furtherance thereof.
(c) "Freestanding"
birthing center * * *
means a separate and distinct facility or center or a separate and
distinct organized unit of a hospital or other defined persons (Section 41-7-173(q))
for the purpose of performing the service of a "birthing center." Such
facility or center must be separately licensed and must comply with all
licensing standards promulgated by the licensing agency by virtue of this
chapter. Further, such facility or center must be a separate, identifiable
entity and must be physically, administratively and financially independent
from other operations of any hospital or other health care facility or service
and shall maintain a separate and required staff, including administrative
staff. Further, any "birthing center" licensed as a "freestanding"
center shall not become a component of any hospital or other health care
facility without securing a "certificate of need."
(d) "Licensing
agency" * * *
means the State Department of Health.
SECTION 17. Section 41-77-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-77-21. Any applicant or
licensee aggrieved by the decision of the licensing agency after a hearing may,
within thirty (30) days after the mailing or serving of notice of the decision
as provided in Section 43-11-11, * * * file a notice of
appeal to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County or
in the chancery court of the county in which the institution is located or
proposed to be located. * * *If such notice of appeal is filed, it shall comply with Section 41‑7‑201(2),
(3) and (4), Mississippi Code of 1972. Thereupon, the licensing
agency shall * * *
certify and file with the court a copy of the record and decision, including
the transcript of the hearings in which the decision is based. No new or
additional evidence shall be introduced in court; the case shall be determined
upon the record certified to the court. The court may sustain or dismiss the
appeal, modify or vacate the order complained of in whole or in part, as the
case may be; but in case the order is wholly or partly vacated, the court may
also, in its discretion, remand the matter to the licensing agency for such
further proceedings, not inconsistent with the court's order, as, in the
opinion of the court, justice may require. The order may not be vacated or set
aside, either in whole or in part, except for errors of law, unless the court
finds that the order of the licensing agency is not supported by substantial
evidence, is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence, is in excess of
the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the licensing agency, or violates
any vested constitutional rights of any party involved in the appeal. Pending
final disposition of the matter, the status quo of the applicant or licensee
shall be preserved, except as the court otherwise orders in the public
interest. Rules with respect to court costs in other cases in chancery shall
apply equally to cases hereunder. Appeals in accordance with law may be had to
the Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi from any final judgment of the
chancery court.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-77-21. Any applicant or
licensee aggrieved by the decision of the licensing agency after a hearing may,
within thirty (30) days after the mailing or serving of notice of the decision
as provided in Section 43-11-11, * * * file a notice of
appeal to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County or
in the chancery court of the county in which the institution is located or
proposed to be located. If such notice of appeal is filed, it shall comply
with Section 41-7-201(2), (3) and (4) * * *. Thereupon, the
licensing agency shall, within the time and in the manner prescribed in Section
41-7-201(2), certify and file with the court a copy of the record and decision,
including the transcript of the hearings in which the decision is based. No
new or additional evidence shall be introduced in court; the case shall be
determined upon the record certified to the court. The court may sustain or
dismiss the appeal, modify or vacate the order complained of in whole or in
part, as the case may be; but in case the order is wholly or partly vacated,
the court may also, in its discretion, remand the matter to the licensing
agency for such further proceedings, not inconsistent with the court's order,
as, in the opinion of the court, justice may require. The order may not be
vacated or set aside, either in whole or in part, except for errors of law,
unless the court finds that the order of the licensing agency is not supported
by substantial evidence, is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence, is
in excess of the statutory authority or jurisdiction of the licensing agency,
or violates any vested constitutional rights of any party involved in the
appeal. Pending final disposition of the matter, the status quo of the
applicant or licensee shall be preserved, except as the court otherwise orders
in the public interest. Rules with respect to court costs in other cases in
chancery shall apply equally to cases hereunder. Appeals in accordance with
law may be had to the Supreme Court of the State of Mississippi from any final
judgment of the chancery court.
SECTION 18. Section 41-77-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-77-23. Any person or
persons or other entity or entities establishing, managing or operating a
"birthing center" or conducting the business of a "birthing
center" without the required license, or which otherwise violate any of
the provisions of this chapter * * * or the rules, regulations or standards promulgated in
furtherance of any law in which the * * * licensing agency has
authority therefor, shall be subject to the following penalties
and sanctions * * *:
(a) Revocation of the license of the birthing center or a designated section, component or service thereof; or
(b) Nonlicensure of a specific or designated service offered by the birthing center.
In addition, any violation of any provision of this chapter or any rules or regulations promulgated in furtherance thereof by intent, fraud, deceit, unlawful design, willful and/or deliberate misrepresentation, or by careless, negligent or incautious disregard for such statutes or rules and regulations, either by persons acting individually or in concert with others, shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for each such offense. Each day of continuing violation shall be considered a separate offense. The venue for prosecution of any such violation shall be in any county of the state in which any such violation, or portion thereof, occurred.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-77-23. Any person or
persons or other entity or entities establishing, managing or operating a
"birthing center" or conducting the business of a "birthing
center" without the required license, or which otherwise violate any of
the provisions of this chapter or the Mississippi Health Care Commission Law of
1979, as amended, or the rules, regulations or standards promulgated in
furtherance of any law in which the * * * licensing agency has
authority therefor, shall be subject to the penalties and sanctions of Section
41-7-209 * * *.
SECTION 19. Section 41-77-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-77-25. Upon receipt of
an application for license and the license fee, the licensing agency shall
issue a license if the applicant and the institutional facilities meet the
requirements established under this chapter * * *. A
license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually upon payment
of a renewal fee of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), which shall be paid to the
licensing agency, and upon filing by the licensee and approval by the licensing
agency of an annual report upon such uniform dates and containing such
information in such form as the licensing agency requires. Any increase in the
fee charged by the licensing agency under this section shall be in accordance
with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. Each license shall be issued only for
the premises and person or persons named in the application and shall not be
transferable or assignable. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place on
the licensed premises.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
41-77-25. Upon receipt of an application for license and the license fee, the licensing agency shall issue a license if the applicant and the institutional facilities meet the requirements established under this chapter and the requirements of Section 41-7-173 et seq., where determined by the licensing agency to be applicable. A license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually upon payment of a renewal fee of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), which shall be paid to the licensing agency, and upon filing by the licensee and approval by the licensing agency of an annual report upon such uniform dates and containing such information in such form as the licensing agency requires. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this section shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. Each license shall be issued only for the premises and person or persons named in the application and shall not be transferable or assignable. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.
SECTION 20. Section 43-11-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
43-11-9. (1) Upon receipt
of an application for license and the license fee, the licensing agency shall
issue a license if the applicant and the institutional facilities meet the
requirements established under this chapter * * *. A
license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually upon payment
by (a) the licensee of an institution for the aged or infirm, except for
personal care homes, of a renewal fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) for each bed
in the institution, with a minimum fee per institution of Two Hundred Dollars
($200.00), or (b) the licensee of a personal care home of a renewal fee of
Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) for each bed in the institution, with a minimum fee
per institution of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), which shall be paid to the
licensing agency, and upon filing by the licensee and approval by the licensing
agency of an annual report upon such uniform dates and containing such
information in such form as the licensing agency prescribes by regulation. Any
increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this subsection shall
be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. Each license shall be
issued only for the premises and person or persons or other legal entity or
entities named in the application and shall not be transferable or assignable
except with the written approval of the licensing agency. Licenses shall be
posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.
(2) A fee known as a "User Fee" shall be applicable and shall be paid to the licensing agency as set out in subsection (1) of this section. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. This user fee shall be assessed for the purpose of the required reviewing and inspections of the proposal of any institution in which there are additions, renovations, modernizations, expansion, alterations, conversions, modifications or replacement of the entire facility involved in such proposal. This fee includes the reviewing of architectural plans in all steps required. There shall be a minimum user fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and a maximum user fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).
(3) No governmental entity or agency shall be required to pay the fee or fees set forth in this section.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
43-11-9. (1) Upon receipt of an application for license and the license fee, the licensing agency shall issue a license if the applicant and the institutional facilities meet the requirements established under this chapter and the requirements of Section 41-7-173 et seq., where determined by the licensing agency to be applicable. A license, unless suspended or revoked, shall be renewable annually upon payment by (a) the licensee of an institution for the aged or infirm, except for personal care homes, of a renewal fee of Twenty Dollars ($20.00) for each bed in the institution, with a minimum fee per institution of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00), or (b) the licensee of a personal care home of a renewal fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) for each bed in the institution, with a minimum fee per institution of One Hundred Dollars ($100.00), which shall be paid to the licensing agency, and upon filing by the licensee and approval by the licensing agency of an annual report upon such uniform dates and containing such information in such form as the licensing agency prescribes by regulation. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. Each license shall be issued only for the premises and person or persons or other legal entity or entities named in the application and shall not be transferable or assignable except with the written approval of the licensing agency. Licenses shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises.
(2) A fee known as a "User Fee" shall be applicable and shall be paid to the licensing agency as set out in subsection (1) of this section. Any increase in the fee charged by the licensing agency under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of Section 41-3-65. This user fee shall be assessed for the purpose of the required reviewing and inspections of the proposal of any institution in which there are additions, renovations, modernizations, expansion, alterations, conversions, modifications or replacement of the entire facility involved in such proposal. This fee includes the reviewing of architectural plans in all steps required. There shall be a minimum user fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and a maximum user fee of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).
(3) No governmental entity or agency shall be required to pay the fee or fees set forth in this section.
SECTION 21. Section 43-11-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
43-11-19. Information
received by the licensing agency through filed reports, inspection, or as
otherwise authorized under this chapter, shall not be disclosed publicly in
such manner as to identify individuals, except in a proceeding involving the
questions of licensure; however, the licensing agency may utilize statistical
data concerning types of services and the utilization of those services for
institutions for the aged or infirm in performing the * * * duties imposed upon it * * * by
Section 43-11-21.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
43-11-19. Information received by the licensing agency through filed reports, inspection, or as otherwise authorized under this chapter, shall not be disclosed publicly in such manner as to identify individuals, except in a proceeding involving the questions of licensure; however, the licensing agency may utilize statistical data concerning types of services and the utilization of those services for institutions for the aged or infirm in performing the statutory duties imposed upon it by Section 41-7-171, et seq. and by Section 43-11-21.
SECTION 22. Section 57-117-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
[In any county that is exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
57-117-5. (1) The MDA may certify an area as a health care industry zone if the following requirements are met:
(a) The area is located within:
(i) Three (3)
contiguous counties which have * * * hospitals located
within the counties that have more than three hundred seventy-five (375)
acute care hospital beds; and/or
(ii) A county which has a hospital with a minimum capital investment of Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00) and for which construction is completed before July 1, 2017;
(b) The health care industry facility is located within a five-mile radius of:
(i) A facility
with a * * * license for hospital beds; and/or
(ii) A university or college that is:
1. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and awards degrees and/or trains workers for jobs in health care or pharmaceutical fields of study and/or work, and
2. Located along or near Mississippi Highway 67 within a master planned community as defined in Section 19-5-10; and
(c) The zoning of the local government unit, if applicable, allows the construction or operation in the proposed health care industry zone of the health care industry facility.
* * *
( * * *2) The MDA may adopt and promulgate
such rules and regulations, in compliance with the Mississippi Administrative
Procedures Law, as are necessary for the efficient and effective administration
of this section in keeping with the purposes for which it is enacted.
[In those counties that are not exempt from the provisions of the Mississippi Health Care Certificate of Need Law as provided under Section 41-7-191(19), this section shall read as follows:]
57-117-5. (1) The MDA may certify an area as a health care industry zone if the following requirements are met:
(a) The area is located within:
(i) Three (3) contiguous counties which have certificates of need of more than three hundred seventy-five (375) acute care hospital beds; and/or
(ii) A county which has a hospital with a minimum capital investment of Two Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($250,000,000.00) and for which construction is completed before July 1, 2017;
(b) The health care industry facility is located within a five-mile radius of:
(i) A facility with a certificate of need for hospital beds; and/or
(ii) A university or college that is:
1. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and awards degrees and/or trains workers for jobs in health care or pharmaceutical fields of study and/or work, and
2. Located along or near Mississippi Highway 67 within a master planned community as defined in Section 19-5-10; and
(c) The zoning of the local government unit, if applicable, allows the construction or operation in the proposed health care industry zone of the health care industry facility.
(2) A health care industry facility that engages in an activity for which a certificate of need is required must comply with the provisions of Section 41-7-191 in order to be certified as a qualified business.
(3) The MDA may adopt and promulgate such rules and regulations, in compliance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, as are necessary for the efficient and effective administration of this section in keeping with the purposes for which it is enacted.
SECTION 23. Section 57-80-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
57-80-5. As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed herein unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Approved business enterprise" means any business enterprise seeking to locate or expand in a growth and prosperity county, which business enterprise is approved by the MDA.
(b) "Business enterprise" means any new or expanded (i) industry for the manufacturing, processing, assembling, storing, warehousing, servicing, distributing or selling of any products or goods, including products of agriculture; (ii) enterprises for research and development, including, but not limited to, scientific laboratories; or (iii) such other businesses or industry as will be in furtherance of the public purposes of this chapter as determined by the MDA and which creates a minimum of ten (10) jobs. "Business enterprise" does not include retail or gaming businesses or electrical generation facilities.
(c) "Eligible supervisors district" means:
(i) A supervisors district:
1. As such district exists on January 1, 2001, in which thirty percent (30%) or more of such district's population as of June 30, 2000, is at or below the federal poverty level according to the official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau as of June 30, 2000, or the official 1990 census poverty rate data (the official 1990 census poverty rate data shall not be used to make any such determination after December 31, 2002); or
2. In which thirty percent (30%) or more of such district's population is at or below the federal poverty level according to the latest official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau;
(ii) Which is contiguous to a county that meets the criteria of Section 57-80-7(1)(b); and
(iii) Which is located in a county which has been issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity under this chapter.
(d) "Growth and prosperity counties" means those counties which meet the requirements of this chapter and which have by resolution or order given its consent to participate in the Growth and Prosperity Program.
(e) "Local tax" means any county or municipal ad valorem tax imposed on the approved business enterprise pursuant to law, except the school portion of the tax and any portion of the tax imposed to pay the cost of providing fire and police protection.
(f) "Local taxing authority" means any county or municipality which by resolution or order has given its consent to participate in the Growth and Prosperity Program acting through its respective board of supervisors or the municipal governing board, council, commission or other legal authority.
(g) "MDA" means the Mississippi Development Authority.
(h) "State tax" means:
(i) Any sales and use tax imposed on the business enterprise pursuant to law related to the purchase of component building materials and equipment for initial construction of facilities or expansion of facilities in a growth and prosperity county or supervisors districts, as the case may be;
(ii) All income tax imposed pursuant to law on income earned by the business enterprise in a growth and prosperity county, or supervisors district, as the case may be;
(iii) Franchise tax imposed pursuant to law on the value of capital used, invested or employed by the business enterprise in a growth and prosperity county, or supervisors district, as the case may be; and
(iv) Any sales and use tax imposed on the lease of machinery and equipment acquired in the initial construction to establish the facility or for an expansion, including, but not limited to, leases in existence prior to January 1, 2001, as certified by the MDA, in a growth and prosperity county, or supervisors district, as the case may be.
SECTION 24. Section 57-80-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
57-80-7. (1) From and after December 31, 2000, the following counties may apply to the MDA for the issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity:
(a) Any county of this state which has an annualized unemployment rate that is at least two hundred percent (200%) of the state's unemployment rate as of December 31 of any year after December 31, 2000, as determined by the Mississippi Department of Employment Security's most recently published data;
(b) Any county of this state in which thirty percent (30%) or more of the population of the county is at or below the federal poverty level according to the official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau as of August 30, 2000, for counties that apply before December 31, 2002, or the most recent official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau for counties that apply from and after December 31, 2002; or
(c) Any county of this state having an eligible supervisors district.
(2) The application, at a minimum, must contain (a) the Mississippi Department of Employment Security's most recently published figures that reflect the annualized unemployment rate of the applying county as of December 31 or the most recent official data by the United States Census Bureau required by subsection (1) of this section, as the case may be, and (b) an order or resolution of the county consenting to the designation of the county as a growth and prosperity county.
(3) Any municipality of a designated growth and prosperity county or within an eligible supervisors district and not more than eight (8) miles from the boundary of the county that meets the criteria of subsection (1)(b) of this section may by order or resolution of the municipality consent to participation in the Growth and Prosperity Program.
(4) No incentive or tax exemption shall be given under this chapter without the consent of the affected county or municipality.
SECTION 25. Section 57-80-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
57-80-9. (1) Upon the issuance by the MDA of its certificate of public convenience and necessity, designating certain counties as growth and prosperity counties, any approved business enterprise in any such a growth and prosperity county or any approved business enterprise located within an eligible supervisors district within eight (8) miles of the boundary of the county that meets the criteria of Section 57-80-7(1)(b) shall be exempt from all local taxes levied by the county and all state taxes for a period of ten (10) years or until December 31, 2029, whichever occurs first, and upon consent of any municipality within such county or within such supervisors district and not more than eight (8) miles from the boundary of the county that meets the criteria of Section 57-80-7(1)(b), shall be exempt from all local taxes levied by such municipality for a period of ten (10) years or until December 31, 2033, whichever occurs first; however, if the business enterprise is located in an area that has been declared by the Governor to be a disaster area and as a direct result of the disaster the business enterprise is unable to utilize the exemption from state taxes, the MDA may extend the duration of the exemption from state taxes for not more than two (2) years or until December 31, 2033, whichever occurs first. Any business enterprise that has property or equipment purchased utilizing the state tax exemption that is damaged or destroyed as a result of the disaster may purchase replacement equipment and component building materials exempt from sales and use tax.
(2) The following conditions, along with any other conditions the MDA shall promulgate from time to time by rule or regulation, shall apply to such exemptions: (a) any exemption provided under this chapter is nontransferable and cannot be applied, used or assigned to any other person or business or tax account; (b) no approved business enterprise may claim or use the exemption granted under this chapter unless that enterprise is in full compliance with all state and local tax laws, and related ordinances and resolutions; and (c) the approved business enterprise must enter into an agreement with the MDA which sets out, at a minimum the performance requirements of the approved business enterprise during the term of the exemption and provisions for the recapture of all or a portion of the taxes exempted if the performance requirements of the approved business enterprise are not met.
(3) Upon entering into such an agreement, the MDA shall forward such agreement to the Department of Revenue and the affected local taxing authorities so that the exemption can be implemented. The Department of Revenue shall promulgate rules and regulations, in accordance with the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law, for the implementation of both local and state exemptions granted under this chapter.
(4) Any business enterprise that relocates its present operation and jobs to a growth and prosperity county or an eligible supervisors district and not more than eight (8) miles from the boundary of the county that meets the criteria of Section 57-80-7(1)(b) from another county in the state shall not receive any of the exemptions granted in this chapter.
(5) If the annualized unemployment rate in a growth and prosperity county falls below one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the state's annualized unemployment rate for three (3) consecutive calendar years and less than thirty percent (30%) of the population of the county is at or below the federal poverty level according to the most recent official data compiled by the United States Census Bureau as of December 31 of the third of such consecutive calendar years, the tax exemptions authorized under this chapter may not be granted to additional business enterprises.
SECTION 26. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2021.