HF 3700 Summary

• Increases notice period for hospital closures, curtailments, relocations, or cessation of specific services from 120 to 300 days before implementation, requiring notification to the commissioner of health, public, and others.

• Requires hospitals to provide detailed notice through multiple methods including postings at main entrances, written notices to county boards, local health departments, media outlets, patients, and employees, with specified content requirements.

• Reduces timeframe for public hearing from 45 to 30 days after receiving notice, requiring the hearing be held within ten miles of the hospital and include video conferencing for remote participation.

• Establishes $20,000 fines per violation for failure to provide required notices to individuals or entities, without requiring a prior correction order; maintains correction order authority for other violations.

• Creates a right of first refusal for local units of government (city, county, town, or hospital district) to purchase hospitals or hospital campuses at fair market value before sale to other parties, with 60-day decision period for acceptance or deemed decline.