REVISE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR HEALTH FACILITIES/AGENCIES
House Bill 5761
Sponsor: Rep. Thomas M. George
Committee: Health Policy
Complete to 4-5-02
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5761 AS INTRODUCED 2-28-02
The Public Health Code requires a person to obtain a construction permit from the Michigan Department of Consumer and Industry Services (CIS) before contracting for and initiating a construction project involving new construction, additions, modernization, or conversion of a health facility or agency with a capital expenditure of $1 million or more. CIS is also authorized to promulgate rules to require construction permits and the submission of plans for other construction projects-i.e., projects costing less than $1 million-in order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. CIS's "review and approval of architectural plans and narrative" for any such project must require that the project be designed and constructed in accord with applicable statutory and other regulatory requirements. Currently the code states that the standards and rules relating to construction, additions, modernization, or conversion of hospitals may not be less strict than those required for federal assistance under the federal hospital and medical facilities amendments of 1964.
House Bill 5761 would amend the code to replace the current minimum standards for construction, additions, modernization, or conversion of hospitals-i.e., those set forth in the federal hospital and medical facilities amendments of 1964-with the standards set forth in the March 1998 MDCH publication titled "Minimum Design Standards for Health Care Facilities in Michigan," and any updates or supplements to the standards by rules promulgated by CIS. The bill would also specify that CIS had to apply these minimum standards when reviewing and approving a construction permit for a health facility or agency. The new standards would be incorporated by reference, and the department could issue interpretive bulletins regarding the standards and promulgate rules to update or supplement the standards. Finally, the bill would update certain references to the federal Social Security Act.
MCL 333.20145 and 333.21523
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.