HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                      2777

(iii) Acquisition of business or office
equipment that is not directly related to patient care;

(iv) Capital expenditures to the extent that
they are directly related to the acquisition and installation of
major medical equipment; [or]

(v) A capital expenditure made as part of a
consolidation or merger of 2 or more health care facilities, or
conversion of a health care facility or part of a facility to a
nonhealth-related use if:

1.  At least 45 days before an expenditure
is made, written notice of intent is filed with the Commission;

2.  Within 45 days of receiving notice,
the Commission in its sole discretion finds that the proposed
consolidation, merger, or conversion:

A.  Is not inconsistent with the State
health plan or the institution-specific plan developed by the
Commission as appropriate;

B.  Will result in the delivery of more
efficient and effective health care services; and

C.  Is in the public interest; and

3.  Within 45 days of receiving notice,
the Commission shall notify the health care facility of its
finding; OR

(VI) A CAPITAL EXPENDITURE BY A HOSPITAL, AS
DEFINED IN § 19-301 OF THIS TITLE, FOR EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION,
OR RENOVATION THAT:

1. IS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO PATIENT
CARE; AND

2. DOES NOT INCREASE PATIENT CHARGES OR
HOSPITAL RATES.

(6) PARAGRAPH (5)(VI) OF THIS SUBSECTION MAY NOT BE
CONSTRUED TO PERMIT A FACILITY TO OFFER A NEW PATIENT CARE
SERVICE FOR WHICH A CERTIFICATE OF NEED IS OTHERWISE REQUIRED.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1986.

Approved May 27, 1986.