SB369 Summary

• Requires active outside medical staff with hospital privileges to approve any exclusive contract for group physician services at hospitals operated by health care authorities.

• Requires active outside medical staff with hospital privileges to approve any decision to close an existing medically staffed department at such hospitals.

• Approval must be by majority vote through secret ballot at an executive session, held after one week's notice and chaired by the longest-serving active outside medical staff member or designee.

• Excludes physicians employed by the authority or having independent contractor status from voting, and prohibits physicians with direct financial interest in the contract or decision from voting.

• Makes any exclusive contract or decision to close a department void if entered into without required medical staff approval; applies to contracts entered into on or after March 1, 2021.