Existing law authorizes a county or group of counties to establish a public hospital. (NRS 450.020) Existing law also: (1) provides for a board of hospital trustees for a public hospital, which has general powers and duties relating to establishing and maintaining a public hospital; (2) authorizes the appointment of a hospital advisory board in counties where the board of county commissioners is the board of hospital trustees; and (3) requires such a hospital advisory board to exercise the powers and duties delegated to it by the board of hospital trustees. (NRS 450.070, 450.150, 450.175) Section 2 of this bill changes the name of a “hospital advisory board” to a “hospital governing board” and requires such a board to adopt bylaws and related policies and procedures. Existing law requires a board of hospital trustees of a county hospital to hold meetings and authorizes the board of hospital trustees to hold a closed meeting to discuss providing or expanding a health care service or acquiring or expanding a facility. (NRS 450.140) Section 1.5 of this bill also authorizes a board of hospital trustees or a hospital governing board to hold a closed meeting to discuss: (1) privileged or confidential matters before an organized committee of a county hospital in deliberating the character, alleged misconduct, professional competence, or physical or mental health of a provider of health care; and (2) matters related to a medical audit or the quality assurance programs of the county hospital. Section 1 of this bill authorizes a board of trustees of a county hospital district to hold a closed meeting for the same purposes as a board of hospital trustees of a county hospital. Section 1 also provides that the records of such a closed meeting become public records 5 years after the date of the meeting or when the board of trustees determines that confidentiality is no longer required, whichever is first, and defines the terms “provider of health care” and “review committee” for purposes of section 1. Section 3 of this bill makes a conforming change to exempt a closed meeting held pursuant to sections 1 and 1.5 from the Open Meeting Law. Sections 2.7 and 2.9 of this bill make conforming changes to indicate the proper placement of section 1 in the Nevada Revised Statutes. Existing law authorizes a board of hospital trustees of a public hospital to employ physicians and interns on a full-time or part-time basis, and fix their compensations. (NRS 450.180) Section 2.5 of this bill authorizes a board of hospital trustees or any hospital governing board appointed pursuant to section 2 to employ dentists and fix their compensation. Section 3.5 of this bill exempts such a dentist from a prohibition against associating with or being employed by certain unlicensed persons under certain circumstances.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 450.140, 450.175, 241.016
Reprint 1: 450.140, 450.175, 450.180, 241.016
Reprint 2: 450.140, 450.175, 450.180, 450.550, 450.590, 241.016, 631.3465
As Enrolled: 450.140, 450.175, 450.180, 450.550, 450.590, 241.016, 631.3465
BDR: 450.140, 450.175, 241.016