Ch. 306                             MARVIN MANDEL, Governor                                  707

nature that may be in the public interest and consistent with the purposes of this
subtitle.

(D) THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO
RELATED INSTITUTIONS, AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION
556(D) OF THIS ARTICLE, FROM AND AFTER JULY 1, 1975.

568W.

(A)  From and after July 1, [1975] 1974, no [institution] HOSPITAL subject
to the provisions of this subtitle shall change or amend that schedule of rates and
charges of the type and class which cannot be changed without prior approval of
the Commission, except in accordance with the following procedure:

(1)  Any request for a change in rate schedules or other charges must be filed in
writing with such supporting data as the [institution] HOSPITAL seeking the
change deems appropriate. Unless the Commission orders otherwise as provided
for hereunder, no [institution] HOSPITAL shall establish such changes except
after 30 days notice to the Commission. Upon receipt of notice, the Commission
may suspend the effective date of any proposed change. In any such case a formal
written statement of the reasons for the suspension will be promptly submitted to
the [institution] HOSPITAL. Unless suspended, any proposed change shall go
into effect upon the date specified in the application.

(2)   In any case where such action is deemed necessary, the Commission shall
promptly institute proceedings as to the reasonableness of the proposal. The
suspension may extend for a period of not more than 30 days beyond the date the
change would otherwise go into effect; provided, however, that should it be
necessary, the Commission may extend the suspension for an additional 30 days.
After the expiration of 90 days the new rate will go into effect, if the Commission
does not approve, disapprove or modify the request by that time.

(3)  In any case where the Commission deems it necessary such proposals shall
be considered at a public hearing, the time and place of which shall be determined
by the Commission. The hearing shall be conducted by the Commission at which
time evidence for and against the requested change may be introduced by any
interested party and witnesses may be heard. The hearing may be conducted
without compliance with formal rules of evidence.

(4)    The Commission may, in its discretion, permit any [institution]
HOSPITAL to make a temporary change in rates which shall be effective
immediately upon filing and in advance of any review procedure when it deems it
in the public interest to do so. Notwithstanding such temporary change in rates,
the review procedures set out herein shall be conducted by the Commission as soon
thereafter as is practicable.

(5)   Every decision and order of the Commission in any contested proceeding
shall be in writing and shall state the grounds for the Commission's conclusions.
The effects of such orders shall be prospective in nature.

(B)   THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY TO ALL
RELATED INSTITUTIONS, AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN SECTION
556(D) OF THIS ARTICLE, FROM AND AFTER JULY 1, 1975.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect July 1, 1973.