ND SB2241

State Department of Health shall conduct life safety surveys for all licensed health facilities during and after construction, renovation, or combined projects.

Licensed providers must negotiate and approve the price of third-party review services, with the department contracting the reviewer and the provider paying the department.

Department shall make initial determinations on projects within 28 days for projects under $1 million, 42 days for $1-4 million, and 56 days for projects over $4 million from receipt of complete application.

Follow-up determinations must be made within 14 days of receiving the licensed provider's response to initial determination.

Department may approve waivers of state laws or rules for innovative projects if non-compliance does not adversely affect health or safety, and must ensure surveyors comply with federal Medicare-certified life safety survey requirements.