reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
RI Gen L § 23-17.13-7 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.13 - Health Care Accessibility and Quality Assurance Act|Section 23-17.13-7 - Repealed.

§ 23-17.13-7. Repealed.History of Section.P.L. 2014, ch. 411, § 1; P.L. 2014, ch. 443, § 1; Repealed by P.L. 2017, ch. 302, art. 5, § 2, effective January 1, 2018.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-1 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-1 - Short title.

§ 23-17.14-1. Short title.This chapter shall be known and may be cited as "The Hospital Conversions Act".History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-2 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-2 - Findings.

§ 23-17.14-2. Findings.The general assembly finds and declares that:(1) Rhode Island has a proud history of nonprofit hospitals and philanthropic support of medical services, education and research;(2) Hospitals in Rhode Island provide overall high quality care at a reasonable cost;(3) Hospitals in Rhode Island have experienced substantial declines in occupancy as the healthcare system has changed.(4) Hospitals require capital to maintain operations and to modernize facilities and services;(5) Nationally and regionally private investment is being made that results in the conversion of not-for-profit and public hospitals into for-profit hospitals;(6) There are hospitals in Rhode Island that have provided and continue to provide important services to communities that submit that their survival may depend on the ability to enter into agreements that result in the investment of private capital and their conversion to for-profit status;(7) Hospitals both not-for-profit and for-profit are merging and forming networks to achieve integration, stability and efficiency and the presence of these networks affects competition;(8) There are concerns that hospital networks may engage in practices that affect the quality medical services in the community as a whole and for more vulnerable members of society in particular;(9) In order to protect public health and welfare and public and charitable assets, it is necessary to establish standards and procedures for hospital conversions.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 258, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 259, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-3 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-3 - Purpose of provisions.

§ 23-17.14-3. Purpose of provisions.The purpose of this chapter is to:(1) Assure the viability of a safe, accessible and affordable healthcare system that is available to all of the citizens of the state;(2) To establish a process to review whether for-profit hospitals will maintain, enhance, or disrupt the delivery of healthcare in the state and to monitor hospital performance to assure that standards for community benefits continue to be met;(3) To establish a review process and criteria for review of hospital conversions;(4) To clarify the jurisdiction and the authority of the department of health to protect public health and welfare and the department of attorney general to preserve and protect public and charitable assets in reviewing both hospital conversions which involve for-profit corporations and hospital conversions which include only not-for-profit corporations; and(5) To provide for independent foundations to hold and distribute proceeds of hospital conversions consistent with the acquiree's original purpose or for the support and promotion of health care and social needs in the affected community.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 258, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 259, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-5 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-5 - Prior approval required - Department of attorney general and department of health.

§ 23-17.14-5. Prior approval required — Department of attorney general and department of health.(a) A conversion shall require review and approval from the department of attorney general and from the department of health in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; except as provided for under § 23-17.14-12.1 hereof, but shall remain subject to the authority of the attorney general pursuant to § 23-17.14-21 hereof.(b) The review by the departments shall occur concurrently, and neither department shall delay its review or determination because the other department has not completed its review or issued its determination. The applicant may request that the review by the department occur concurrently with the review of any relevant federal regulatory authority.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 325, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 258, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 259, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-8 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-8 - Review process and review criteria by department of health for conversions involving for-profit corporation as acquiror.

§ 23-17.14-8. Review process and review criteria by department of health for conversions involving for-profit corporation as acquiror.(a) The department shall review all proposed conversions involving a hospital in which one or more of the transacting parties involves a for-profit corporation as the acquiror and a not-for-profit corporation as the acquiree.(b) In reviewing an application for a conversion involving hospitals in which one or more of the transacting parties is a for-profit corporation as the acquiror the department shall consider the following criteria:(1) Whether the character, commitment, competence, and standing in the community, or any other communities served by the proposed transacting parties, are satisfactory;(2) Whether sufficient safeguards are included to assure the affected community continued access to affordable care;(3) Whether the transacting parties have provided clear and convincing evidence that the new hospital will provide health care and appropriate access with respect to traditionally underserved populations in the affected community;(4) Whether procedures or safeguards are assured to insure that ownership interests will not be used as incentives for hospital employees or physicians to refer patients to the hospital;(5) Whether the transacting parties have made a commitment to assure the continuation of collective bargaining rights, if applicable, and retention of the workforce;(6) Whether the transacting parties have appropriately accounted for employment needs at the facility and addressed workforce retraining needed as a consequence of any proposed restructuring;(7) Whether the conversion demonstrates that the public interest will be served considering the essential medical services needed to provide safe and adequate treatment, appropriate access and balanced health care delivery to the residents of the state; and(8) Whether the acquiror has demonstrated that it has satisfactorily met the terms and conditions of approval for any previous conversion pursuant to an application submitted under § 23-17.14-6.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 325, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-9 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-9 - Initial application - Conversions limited to not-for-profit corporations.

§ 23-17.14-9. Initial application — Conversions limited to not-for-profit corporations.All conversions which are limited to not-for-profit corporations which involve the establishment, maintenance, or operation of a hospital require prior approval of both the department of attorney general and the department of health or, if eligible for expedited review under § 23-17.14-12.1, prior approval of the department of health and subject to the authority of the attorney general pursuant to § 23-17.14-21 hereof. The review by the two (2) departments shall occur concurrently and neither department shall delay its review or determination because the other department has not completed its review or issued its determination. The applicant may request that the review by the departments occur concurrently with the review of any relevant federal regulatory authority. The transacting parties shall file an initial application pursuant to the provisions set forth in § 23-17.14-6 or § 23-17.14-12.1.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 325, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 258, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 259, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-11 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-11 - Criteria for the department of health - Conversions limited to not-for-profit corporations.

§ 23-17.14-11. Criteria for the department of health — Conversions limited to not-for-profit corporations.In reviewing an application of a conversion involving a hospital in which the transacting parties are limited to not-for-profit corporations, the department shall consider the following criteria:(1) Whether the character, commitment, competence, and standing in the community, or any other communities served by the proposed transacting parties are satisfactory;(2) Whether sufficient safeguards are included to assure the affected community continued access to affordable care;(3) Whether the transacting parties have provided satisfactory evidence that the new hospital will provide health care and appropriate access with respect to traditionally underserved populations in the affected community;(4) Whether procedures or safeguards are assured to insure that ownership interests will not be used as incentives for hospital employees or physicians to refer patients to the hospital;(5) Whether the transacting parties have made a commitment to assure the continuation of collective bargaining rights, if applicable, and retention of the workforce;(6) Whether the transacting parties have appropriately accounted for employment needs at the facility and addressed workforce retraining needed as a consequence of any proposed restructuring;(7) Whether the conversion demonstrates that the public interest will be served considering the essential medical services needed to provide safe and adequate treatment, appropriate access and balanced healthcare delivery to the residents of the state.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 325, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 258, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 259, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-12 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-12 - Review process by department of health for conversions involving for-profit hospital as the acquiree.

§ 23-17.14-12. Review process by department of health for conversions involving for-profit hospital as the acquiree.The department of health shall review all proposed conversions involving a for-profit hospital as the acquiree and either a for-profit corporation or a not-for-profit hospital or corporation as the acquiror in accordance with the provisions for change of effective control pursuant to §§ 23-17-14.3 and 23-17-14.4.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 470, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 325, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-13 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-13 - Reports, use of experts, costs.

§ 23-17.14-13. Reports, use of experts, costs.The department of health or the department of attorney general may in effectuating the purposes of this chapter engage experts or consultants including, but not limited to, actuaries, investment bankers, accountants, attorneys, or industry analysts. All copies of reports prepared by experts and consultants, and costs associated with the reports, shall be made available to the transacting parties and to the public. All costs incurred under this provision shall be the responsibility of one or more transacting parties in an amount to be determined by the attorney general or the director as they deem appropriate and consistent with § 23-17.14-12.1, if applicable. No application for a conversion made pursuant to the requirements of this chapter shall be considered complete unless an agreement has been executed with the attorney general or the director for the payment of costs in accordance with this section.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 258, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 259, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-14 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-14 - Investigations - Notice to attend - Court order to appear - Contempt.

§ 23-17.14-14. Investigations — Notice to attend — Court order to appear — Contempt.(a) The director or the attorney general shall conduct investigations in discharging the duties required under this chapter. For purposes of this investigation, the director or the attorney general may require any person, agent, trustee, fiduciary, consultant, institution, association, or corporation directly related to the proposed conversion to appear at any time and place that the director or the attorney general shall designate, then and there under oath and conducted with a stenographic record to produce for the use of the director and/or the attorney general any and all documents and any other information relating directly to the proposed conversion that the director or the attorney general may require, including, but not limited to, interviews, testimony, or statements.(b) Whenever the director or the attorney general may require the attendance of any person as provided in subsection (a), the director and/or the attorney general shall issue a notice setting the time and place when the attendance is required and shall cause the notice to be delivered or sent by registered or certified mail to the person at least fourteen (14) days before the date fixed in the notice for the attendance.(c) If any person receiving notice pursuant to this provision neglects to attend or remain in attendance so long as may be necessary for the purposes that the notice was issued, or refuses to produce information requested, any justice of the superior court for the county within which the inquiry is carried on or within which the person resides or transacts business, upon application by the director, the attorney general, or any transacting party shall have jurisdiction to hear and consider on an expedited basis the request, and if appropriate and relevant to the consideration of proposed conversion, may issue to the person an order requiring the person to appear before the director or the attorney general there to produce for the use of the director or the attorney general evidence in accordance with the terms of the order of the court, and any failure to obey the order of the superior court may be punished by the court as contempt of court.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 284, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-15 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-15 - Charity care requirements.

§ 23-17.14-15. Charity care requirements.(a) All licensed hospitals shall, as a condition of initial and/or continued licensure:(1) Meet the statewide community needs for the provision of charitable care;(2) Meet standards for assurance of the continuance of uncompensated case and community benefits;(3) Not discourage persons who cannot afford to pay from seeking essential medical services; and(4) Not encourage persons who cannot afford to pay to seek essential medical services from other providers.(b) The director shall on an annual basis review each licensed hospital's level of performance in providing charity care and uncompensated care.(c) The director shall consider the appropriate amount of charity and uncompensated care necessary to provide safe and adequate treatment, appropriate access and balanced health care delivery to the residents of the state.(d) Each licensed hospital shall provide on or before March 1st of each calendar year a report in a form acceptable to the director, a detailed description with supporting documentation, evidence of compliance of this section including, but not limited to (1) cost of charity care, (2) bad debt, (3) contracted Medicaid shortfalls, and (4) any additional information demonstrating compliance with this section.(e) If the department receives sufficient information indicating that a licensed hospital is not in compliance with this section, the director shall hold a hearing upon ten (10) days notice to the licensed hospital and shall issue, in writing, findings and appropriate penalties as set forth in § 23-17.14-30.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-16 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-16 - Gag rules prohibited.

§ 23-17.14-16. Gag rules prohibited.A hospital shall not refuse to contract with or compensate for covered services with an otherwise eligible provider solely because that provider has in good faith communicated with one or more of his or her patients regarding the provisions, terms, or requirements for services of the hospital's products as they relate to the needs of that provider's patients.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-17 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-17 - Perjury.

§ 23-17.14-17. Perjury.Any person who is found to have testified falsely under oath before the legislature, the department of health, or the attorney general pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to prosecution for perjury and be subject to the penalties set forth in § 23-17.14-30.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-18 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-18 - Prior approval - Closings or significant reduction of medical services.

§ 23-17.14-18. Prior approval — Closings or significant reduction of medical services.(a) No hospital emergency department or primary care services which existed for at least one year and which significantly serve uninsured or underinsured individuals shall be eliminated or significantly reduced without the prior approval of the director in accordance with this section.(b) Prior to the elimination or significant reduction of an emergency department or primary care services which existed for at least one year and which significantly serve uninsured or underinsured individuals, the hospital shall provide a written plan to the director which shall describe the impact of the proposal on:(1) Access to healthcare services for traditionally underserved populations;(2) The delivery of healthcare services on the affected community; and(3) Other licensed hospitals or healthcare providers in the affected community or in the state.(c) Notwithstanding any other provision in the general laws, the director shall have the sole authority to review all plans submitted under this section and the director shall issue a decision within ninety (90) days or the request shall be deemed approved. The director may if deemed appropriate, issue public notice and allow a written comment period within sixty (60) days of receipt of the proposal.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-19 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-19 - Limits to acquisitions - Community benefits requirements - Filings prohibited.

§ 23-17.14-19. Limits to acquisitions — Community benefits requirements — Filings prohibited.(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions in this chapter, nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit a for-profit hospital, its subsidiaries or affiliates, from applying for and receiving approval of a conversion of more than one hospital in the same year, or any subsequent year, and each such application shall require review and approval from the attorney general and the department of health in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.(b) In the event that a for-profit corporation applies for conversion of an additional hospital, all provisions of this chapter must be met. In addition to the review process and criteria set forth in this chapter, the department shall have the sole authority and discretion to determine:(1) Whether the for-profit corporation provided community benefits as required or promised in connection with obtaining and holding a license or interest therein during the previous license period;(2) Whether all terms and conditions of the prior license have been met, including but not limited to, the conditions in § 23-17.14-19(b) and § 23-17.14-15;(3) Whether all federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations have been complied with relative to any prior license;(4) Whether the for-profit corporation planned, implemented, monitored and reviewed a community benefit program during the prior license period;(5) Whether the for-profit corporation maintained, enhanced or disrupted the essential medical services in the affected community or the state;(6) Whether the for-profit corporation provided an appropriate amount of charity care necessary to maintain or enhance a safe and accessible healthcare delivery system in the affected community and the state; and(7) Whether the for-profit corporation demonstrated a substantial linkage between the hospital and the affected community by providing one or more of the following benefits; uncompensated care, charity care, cash or in kind donations to community programs, education and training of professionals in community health issues, relevant research initiatives or essential but unprofitable medical services if needed in the affected community.(c) The director may hold a public hearing to solicit input to assess the performance of a for-profit corporation or its affiliates or subsidiaries in providing community benefits in the affected community or the state.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 258, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 259, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-20 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-20 - Licensing fees.

§ 23-17.14-20. Licensing fees.Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to affect the licensing fees set forth in § 23-17-38.1.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1.
RI Gen L § 23-17.14-21 (2021)
2021 Rhode Island General Laws|Title 23 - Health and Safety|Chapter 23-17.14 - The Hospital Conversions Act|Section 23-17.14-21 - No derogation of attorney general.

§ 23-17.14-21. No derogation of attorney general.(a) No provision of this chapter shall derogate from the common law or statutory authority of the attorney general nor shall any provision be construed as a limitation on the common law or statutory authority of the attorney general, including the authority to investigate at any time charitable trusts for the purpose of determining and ascertaining whether they are being administered in accordance with law and with the terms and purposes thereof.(b) No provision of this chapter shall be construed as a limitation on the application of the doctrine of cy pres or any other legal doctrine applicable to charitable assets and/or charitable trusts.History of Section.P.L. 1997, ch. 372, § 1.