This bill amends Minnesota Statutes to enhance the requirements for notifying the public and conducting hearings regarding hospital closures, operational changes, and service relocations. Key changes include increasing the notification period from 120 to 300 days, mandating that notices be sent to a broader audience including patients and local officials, and specifying the methods of notification. Additionally, the bill introduces a new subdivision that outlines the content required in the notices, such as details about the impact on services, patient relocation, and personnel changes. It also establishes penalties for non-compliance, including fines of $20,000 for failing to provide required notices.
Furthermore, the bill establishes a right of first refusal for local government entities before a hospital or hospital campus can be sold or closed. The controlling persons of a hospital must first make a good faith offer to sell the facility to the local government at fair market value, with a 60-day response window for acceptance or decline. This provision aims to ensure that local communities have the opportunity to maintain access to essential health services before any significant changes occur.
Statutes affected: Introduction: 144.555