House Bill 583 Summary

• Exempts planning, design, construction, renovation, addition, furnishing and equipping of a clinical research unit at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson from certificate of need review.

• Exempts repair or rebuilding of existing health care facilities sustaining significant damage (at least $1,000,000) from natural disasters occurring after April 15, 2014, from certificate of need requirements, subject to conditions including rebuilding within one mile of original location and maintaining same bed capacity and service levels.

• Authorizes State Department of Health to approve changes of ownership of parts of health care facilities.

• Clarifies that certificate of need expedited review process applies to emergency replacements and allows department to issue certificates addressing current and future community health care needs, including facility expansion or relocation following destruction or major damage.

• Allows department to waive certificate of need application fees for facilities applying due to destruction or major damage to prevent undue hardship.