ND HB1045

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

Licensed providers must negotiate and approve the price for third-party plan reviews, with the provider paying the department, which contracts with the third party and deposits funds in its operating account.

Department may charge reasonable fees for plan reviews based on project size, with revenues deposited in the department's operating fund in the state treasury.

Department shall make initial determinations within 28 days for projects under $1 million, 42 days for $1-4 million, 56 days for $4-15 million, and shall notify applicants of timeline for projects over $15 million, allowing use of third-party reviewers.

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.