House Bill No. 607, introduced by Representative Zeringue, seeks to regulate the establishment and operation of healthcare facilities within hospital service districts in Louisiana. The bill enacts R.S. 46:1069.2, which mandates that any hospital service district or its affiliates must obtain consent from the affected district before establishing, operating, or locating a healthcare facility outside its geographic boundaries. It outlines specific procedures for obtaining this consent, including a requirement for written notice to the affected district at least 120 days prior to any actions related to the healthcare facility. The bill also defines key terms such as "affiliate" and "healthcare facility," and emphasizes that applications for permits or licenses cannot be filed until the notice period has elapsed and necessary consents have been obtained.

Additionally, the bill allows for a private right of action for a hospital service district if another district or its affiliate violates these provisions. Exceptions to the consent requirement include situations where no hospital service district exists for the proposed location or when both districts have a cooperative endeavor agreement. The legislation aims to ensure that local hospital service districts have a voice in the healthcare facilities operating within their boundaries, thereby promoting community involvement and oversight. It also outlines requirements for notifying the affected district about proposed facilities, including details on location, ownership, services, staffing, and operational hours, and allows for public meetings before granting approval for new facilities.