RCW 70.38.260 Certain hospitals not subject to certificate of need requirements for the addition of the number of new psychiatric beds. (Expires June 30, 2019.)

(1) For a grant awarded during fiscal years 2016 and 2017 by the department of commerce under this section, hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW and psychiatric hospitals licensed under chapter 71.12 RCW are not subject to certificate of need requirements for the addition of the number of new psychiatric beds indicated in the grant. The department of commerce may not make a prior approval of a certificate of need application a condition for a grant application under this section. The period during which an approved hospital project qualifies for a certificate of need exemption under this section is two years from the date of the grant award.

(2) This section expires June 30, 2019.

[2015 3rd sp.s. c 22 § 2.]

NOTES:

Intent—2015 3rd sp.s. c 22: "To accommodate the urgent need for inpatient psychiatric services and to facilitate state compliance with the Washington state supreme court decision, In re the Detention of D.W., No. 90110–4, August 7, 2014, which prohibits the practice of psychiatric boarding, the legislature intends to exempt certain hospital mental health projects provided grant funding by the department of commerce from certificate of need requirements." [2015 3rd sp.s. c 22 § 1.]

Effective date—2015 3rd sp.s. c 22: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [July 6, 2015]." [2015 3rd sp.s. c 22 § 4.]