CA SB418

Creates the Pajaro Valley Health Care District in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, which may only be organized if the relevant county board of supervisors appoints an initial board of directors.

Requires the district board to divide the district into zones within five years of its first meeting for representation purposes.

Mandates the district notify Santa Cruz County LAFCO when it acquires Watsonville Community Hospital; LAFCO must dissolve the district if the hospital is not acquired by January 1, 2024.

Requires the district to notify LAFCO if it sells Watsonville Community Hospital or stops providing health care services there; LAFCO must then dissolve the district without following standard dissolution procedures.

Takes effect immediately as an urgency statute to address the imminent financial collapse of Watsonville Community Hospital and protect public health in the region.