CA AB869

Authorizes certain hospitals (small, rural, critical access, health care district, and Distressed Hospital Loan Program recipients) to seek approval for up to a 3-year delay from the January 1, 2030 seismic compliance deadline, with department discretion to grant an additional 2-year delay up to January 1, 2035 maximum.

Requires hospitals seeking delays to submit seismic compliance plans by January 1, 2026, and establish at least 2 major milestones with the department to demonstrate adequate progress toward compliance.

Imposes a $5,000 per calendar day fine for hospitals that fail to meet revised construction schedules or approved milestones, and prohibits building permits (except for seismic compliance, maintenance, and emergency repairs) until milestones are met.

Expands the Small and Rural Hospital Relief Program to fund SPC-4D assessments for single- and two-story rural hospitals with fewer than 80 beds and revenue of $75 million or less, and authorizes grants for compliance work at these hospitals.

Requires the department to annually post a list of hospitals granted deadline delays on its website and implement these provisions through emergency regulations.