HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

997

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HOSPITAL LICENSING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to authorize the department of health to recognize additional nationally recognized accreditation or certification organizations to demonstrate a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.  Although hospitals generally use the Joint Commission for accreditation, other organizations are available and are accepted by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These include but are not limited to the Accreditation Association for Hospitals and Health Systems/Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program, the Center for Improvement in Healthcare Quality, and DNV GL – Healthcare National Integrated Accreditation for Healthcare Orgnaizations.

     SECTION 2.  Section 321-14.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§321-14.5  Hospitals; licensing.  (a)  All hospitals shall be licensed by the department to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the individuals placed therein.

     (b)  The director shall adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 that shall provide for the licensing of hospitals.

     (c)  The rules may provide that accreditation by [the joint commission] nationally recognized accreditation or certification organizations demonstrates a hospital's compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State.  The rules may exempt a hospital from a licensing inspection on a continuing basis throughout the term of the accreditation or certification under the following conditions:

     (1)  The hospital provides the department with a certified copy of the hospital's official accreditation or certification report [from the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations];

     (2)  The hospital continuously holds full accreditation or certification [by The Joint Commission]; and

     (3)  The hospital holds a current and valid state license.

     (d)  The rules shall provide that the department may conduct inspections and investigations of exempt hospitals to investigate complaints, follow up on adverse accreditation findings, or conduct periodic validation surveys.

     (e)  Information contained in reports of survey and official accreditation letters made by the [the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations] accreditation or certification organization used in determining compliance with licensing requirements shall be public information.

     (f)  All other records maintained by the department shall be governed by chapter 92F."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST


 


 

Report Title:

Hospital Licensing

 

Description:

Authorizes the Department of Health to recognize additional national accreditation or certification organizations.

 

 

 

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