Existing law authorizes a county or group of counties to establish a public hospital. (NRS 450.020) Existing law also authorizes a board of county commissioners to establish a county hospital district to operate a district hospital or otherwise provide the services of a hospital to the residents of this State. (NRS 450.590, 450.610, 450.630, 450.710) Existing law authorizes the governing body of a county hospital to: (1) employ physicians, interns and dentists, on a full-time or part-time basis, and fix their compensations; and (2) control the admission of such physicians and interns to the staff of the hospital by promulgating appropriate rules, regulations and standards governing those appointments. (NRS 450.180) Existing law similarly authorizes the governing body of a county hospital district to take such actions with regard to physicians and interns. (NRS 450.640) Existing law further authorizes the governing body of a county hospital to institute and maintain training programs in the county hospital for resident physicians, interns and postgraduates that meet certain accreditation standards. (NRS 450.455) Section 3 of this bill additionally authorizes the governing body of a county hospital district to employ and fix the compensation of dentists. Sections 1 and 3 of this bill remove interns from the list of persons that the governing body of a county hospital or county hospital district may employ, and instead, authorizes such a governing body to employ and control the admission of medical and dental residents and fellows. Section 2 of this bill makes a conforming change to authorize a county hospital to institute and maintain training programs for fellows in addition to resident physicians. Section 2 also updates the name of an accrediting organization for medical residencies. Existing law authorizes a county or district hospital to enter into a contract to provide certain services in connection with or related to the operation of certain hospitals or necessary for the health and welfare of the general public. (NRS 450.800) Section 4 of this bill specifies that such services include certain mental or behavioral health services performed in connection with or related to a crisis stabilization center, which is a hospital with an endorsement to provide such services. (NRS 449.0915) Section 4 also authorizes a county or district hospital to form a separate organization to provide or contract for the provision of certain services.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 450.180, 450.455, 450.640, 450.800
Reprint 1: 450.180, 450.455, 450.640, 450.800
As Enrolled: 450.180, 450.455, 450.640, 450.800
BDR: 450.180, 450.455, 450.640, 450.800