FL S0464

Sale or lease of county, district, or municipal hospitals must be approved by either a majority vote of registered voters or by circuit court order.

Hospital governing boards must publicly advertise and solicit proposals from qualified purchasers or lessees before any sale or lease transaction.

Governing boards must prepare written findings addressing fair market value, tax revenue impacts, continuation of services for indigent and uninsured populations, and other specified criteria.

Boards must publish notice of proposed transactions at least 120 days before closing and allow interested parties 20 days to submit written opposition statements.

Circuit courts have jurisdiction to approve or deny sales/leases based on compliance with state law, fair market value, due diligence, conflict of interest disclosures, and commitments to continue community health services; court decisions may be appealed within 30 days and affirmed unless arbitrary or capricious.