NY S03131

Hospital and emergency/maternity department closures must be reviewed and approved by the commissioner, requiring applicants to submit a comprehensive closure plan addressing community health care access impacts and mitigation measures.

Commissioner must notify county executives, elected representatives, health departments, and community boards within 30 days of receiving a closure application and make all documentation publicly available on the department website.

Commissioner must hold a public community forum no later than 45 days after receiving a closure application and at least 60 days before the proposed closure date, allowing community members, elected officials, and stakeholders to provide oral and written comments for at least two weeks.

Commissioner may only approve closures if reasonably determining that community needs—including access to emergency medical care—can be adequately met, and must publish a written report explaining how public input influenced the final decision.

Community forums must be held near the affected hospital and announced at least 10 days in advance; the commissioner's notification and closure plan must be publicly released at least 10 days before the forum.