(a) The authority, in addition to any other powers granted to the authority pursuant to this chapter, shall have the following powers:
(1) To have the duties, privileges, immunities, rights, liabilities, and limitations of a local unit of government within the state.
(2) To have perpetual existence.
(3) To adopt, have, and use a seal, and to alter it at its pleasure.
(4) To sue and be sued in the name of the authority in all actions and proceedings in all courts and tribunals of competent jurisdiction.
(5) To purchase, lease, trade, exchange, or otherwise acquire, maintain, hold, improve, mortgage, lease, sell, and dispose of real and personal property of any kind necessary or convenient to perform its functions and fully exercise its powers.
(6) To appoint and employ a chief executive officer and other officers and employees that may be necessary or appropriate, including legal counsel, to establish their compensation, provide for their health, retirement, and other employment benefits, and to define the power and duties of officers and employees.
(7) (A) To incur indebtedness and to borrow money and issue bonds evidencing the same, including the authority to issue, from time to time, notes and revenue bonds in principal amounts that the authority determines to be necessary to provide sufficient funds for achieving any of its purposes, including, but not limited to, assumption or refinancing of debt service for capital projects eligible for Medi-Cal supplemental payments pursuant to Section 14085.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, the payment of interest on notes and bonds of the authority, the establishment of reserves to secure these notes and bonds, and all other expenditures of the authority incident to and necessary or convenient to carry out its purposes and powers.
(B) Any notes, bonds, or other securities issued, and the income from them, including any profit from the sale thereof, shall at all times be free from taxation by the state or any agency, political subdivision, or instrumentality of the state.
(C) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A), for any indebtedness, notes, bonds, or other securities that require voter approval pursuant to state law, the prior approval of the board of supervisors shall be required. Notwithstanding the required prior approval of the board of supervisors, any indebtedness incurred, or notes, bonds, or other securities issued pursuant to this subparagraph shall be the indebtedness, notes, bonds, or securities of the authority and not of the county, and the credit of the county shall not be pledged or relied upon in any manner in order to incur the indebtedness, or issue the notes, bonds, or other securities, unless the board of supervisors explicitly authorizes the use of the county’s credit. The authority shall reimburse the county for all costs associated with the county’s consideration of the indebtedness, notes, bonds, or securities, and the authority shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the county from any and all liability, costs, or expenses arising from or related to the indebtedness, notes, bonds, or securities.
(8) To pursue its own credit rating.
(9) To enter into any contract or agreement consistent with this chapter or the laws of this state, and to authorize the chief executive officer to enter into contracts, execute all instruments, and do all things necessary or convenient in the exercise of the powers granted in this chapter, and to secure the payment of bonds.
(10) To purchase supplies, equipment, materials, property, and services.
(11) To establish policies relating to its purposes.
(12) To acquire or contract to acquire, rights-of-way, easements, privileges, and property, and to construct, equip, maintain, and operate any and all works or improvements wherever located that are necessary, convenient, or proper to carry out any of the provisions, objects, or purposes of this chapter, and to complete, extend, add to, repair, or otherwise improve any works or improvements acquired by it.
(13) To contract for and to accept gifts, grants, and loans of funds, property, or other aid in any form from the federal government, the state, a state agency, or other source, or combination thereof, and to comply, subject to this chapter, with the terms and conditions thereof.
(14) To invest surplus money in its own treasury, manage investments, and engage third-party investment managers, in accordance with state law.
(15) To arrange for guarantees or insurance of its bonds, notes, or other obligations by the federal or state government or by a private insurer, and to pay the premiums thereof.
(16) To engage in managed care contracting, joint ventures, affiliations with other health care facilities, other health care providers and payers, management agreements, or to participate in alliances, purchasing consortia, health insurance pools, accountable care organizations, alternative delivery systems, or other cooperative arrangements, with any public or private entity.
(17) To enter into joint powers agreements pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 6500) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(18) To establish nonprofit, for profit, or other entities necessary to carry out the duties of the authority.
(19) To elect to transfer funds to the state and incur certified public expenditures in support of the Medi-Cal program and other programs for which federal financial participation is available.
(20) To use a computerized management information system, including an electronic health records system, in connection with the administration of its facilities.
(21) To request that the board of supervisors levy a tax on behalf of the authority. If the board of supervisors approves the proposal to levy the tax, the board shall call the election to seek voter approval and place the appropriate measure on the ballot for that election. The proceeds of these taxes shall be tax proceeds of the authority and not of the county. The authority shall reimburse the county for all costs associated with the county’s consideration of these taxes, and shall defend, indemnify, and hold harmless the county from any liability, costs, or expenses arising from or related to the imposition of these taxes.
(22) To contract with the county for the provision of indigent care services on behalf of the county. The contract shall specify that county policies consistent with the county’s obligations under Section 17000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code shall be applicable. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the authority shall not undertake any of the county’s obligations under Section 17000 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, nor shall the authority have an entitlement to receive any revenue for the discharge of the county’s obligations, without a written agreement with the county.
(23) To engage in other activities that may be in the best interests of the authority and the persons served by the authority, as determined by the board of trustees, in order to respond to changes in the health care industry.
(b) The authority shall conform to the following requirements:
(1) Be a government entity separate and apart for all purposes from the county and any other public entity, and shall not be considered to be an agency, division, or department of the county or any other public entity. The authority shall not be governed by, or subject to, the policies or operational rules of the county or any other public entity.
(2) Be subject to state and federal taxation laws that are applicable to public entities generally, except that the authority may, to the extent permitted by federal law, apply for an exemption from social security taxation if there is a mutual agreement with the exclusive representatives of the affected employees.
(3) Comply with the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code), and the Ralph M. Brown Act (Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 54950) of Division 2 of Title 5 of the Government Code).
(4) To the extent the authority is permitted by federal law to participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System, assume the assets and liabilities for Public Employees’ Retirement System benefits, consistent with the requirements of Section 20508 and other applicable provisions of Part 3 (commencing with Section 20000) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code and assume workers’ compensation liabilities and other employee benefits and liabilities with respect to employees of the authority, unless otherwise agreed to by the authority, the county, and the governing board.
(5) Carry professional and general liability insurance or programs to the extent sufficient to cover its activities.
(6) Comply with the requirements of Sections 53260 and 53261 of the Government Code.
(7) Meet all local, state, and federal data reporting requirements.
(8) Be subject to the jurisdiction of the Public Employment Relations Board.
(c) Open sessions of the authority constitute official proceedings authorized by law within the meaning of Section 47 of the Civil Code. The privileges set forth in that section with respect to official proceedings apply to open sessions of the authority.
(d) The authority is a public agency for purposes of eligibility with respect to grants and other funding and loan guarantee programs. Contributions to the authority are tax deductible to the extent permitted by state and federal law. Nonproprietary income of the authority is exempt from state income taxation.
(e) The authority is not a “person” subject to suit under the Cartwright Act (Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 16700) of Part 2 of Division 7 of the Business and Professions Code).
(f) The statutory authority of a board of supervisors to prescribe rules that authorize a county hospital to integrate its services with those of other providers into a system of community service that offers free choice of hospitals to those requiring hospital care, as set forth in Section 14000.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, apply to the authority and the board of trustees.
(g) Unless otherwise agreed to by the authority and the board of supervisors, or the authority and a governing board, an obligation of the authority, statutory, contractual or otherwise, is the obligation solely of the authority and not the obligation of the county or any other entity, and any contract executed by and between the county and the authority, or any other entity and the authority, shall contain a provision that liabilities or obligations of the authority with respect to its activities pursuant to the contract shall be the liabilities or obligations of the authority and shall not be or become the liabilities or obligations of the county or the other entity, respectively.
(h) An obligation of the authority, statutory, contractual or otherwise, is the obligation solely of the authority and not the obligation of the state.
(i) In the event of a change of license ownership, the board of trustees shall comply with the obligations of governing bodies of general acute care hospitals generally as set forth in Section 70701 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, as currently written or subsequently amended, as well as the terms and conditions of the license. The authority is the responsible party with respect to compliance with these obligations, terms, and conditions.
(j) (1) Provisions of the Evidence Code, the Government Code, including the Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code), the Civil Code, the Business and Professions Code, and other applicable law pertaining to the confidentiality of peer review activities of peer review bodies apply to the peer review activities of the authority. Peer review proceedings constitute an official proceeding authorized by law within the meaning of Section 47 of the Civil Code and those privileges set forth in that section with respect to official proceedings apply to peer review proceedings of the authority. If the authority is required by law or contractual obligation to submit to the state or federal government peer review information or information relevant to the credentialing of a participating provider, that submission does not constitute a waiver of confidentiality. The laws pertaining to the confidentiality of peer review activities shall be together construed as extending, to the extent permitted by law, the maximum degree of protection of confidentiality.
(2) Notwithstanding any other law, Section 1461 applies to hearings on reports of hospital medical audit or quality assurance committees.
(k) (1) A transfer by the county to the authority, or by the governing board to the authority, of the maintenance, operation, and management or ownership of the medical center or the other health care facility, respectively, whether or not the transfer includes the surrendering by the county or the governing board of any existing general acute care hospital license and corresponding application for a change of ownership of the license, does not affect the eligibility of the county or the governing board to undertake, and authorizes the authority, subject to applicable requirements, to do, any of the following:
(A) With the written consent of the county, participate in and receive allocations pursuant to the California Health Care for Indigents Program pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 16940) of Part 4.7 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or similar programs, as may be identified or earmarked by the county for indigent health care services of the type provided by the medical center.
(B) With the written consent of the county, participate in and receive allocations of local revenue fund amounts provided pursuant to Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 17600) of Part 5 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code as may be identified or earmarked by the county for indigent health care services of the type provided by the medical center.
(C) Participate in the financing of, and receive, Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments available to a county hospital or designated public hospital, or any other successor or modified payment or funding that is intended to assist hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of low-income patients with special needs. The allocation of Medicaid disproportionate share hospital payments shall be made in consultation with the State Department of Health Care Services and other designated safety net hospitals.
(D) Participate in the financing of, and receive, Medi-Cal supplemental reimbursements, including, but not limited to, payments made pursuant to Sections 14105.96, 14105.965, 14166.4, and 14182.15 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, payments described in paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 14301.4 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and payments made available to a county provider or designated public hospital, or governmental entity with which it is affiliated, under any other successor or modified Medicaid payment system.
(E) Participate in the financing of, and receive, safety net care pool funding, stabilization funding, delivery system reform incentive pool payments, and any other funding available to a county provider or designated public hospital, or governmental entities with which it is affiliated under the Medicaid demonstration project authorized pursuant to Article 5.2 (commencing with Section 14166) and Article 5.4 (commencing with Section 14180) of Chapter 7 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or under any other successor or modified Medicaid demonstration project or Medicaid payment system. The allocation of safety net care pool funds shall be made in consultation with the State Department of Health Care Services and other designated safety net hospitals.
(F) Participate in the financing, administration, and provision of services under the Low Income Health Program authorized pursuant to Part 3.6 (commencing with Section 15909) of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or under any other successor or modified Medicaid demonstration project or Medicaid payment system if the authority enters into an agreement with the county concerning the provision of services by, and payment for these services to, the county.
(G) Participate in and receive direct grant and payment allocations pursuant to Article 5.228 (commencing with Section 14169.1) of Chapter 7 of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, or under any other successor or modified direct grant and payment systems funded by hospital or other provider fee assessments.
(H) Receive Medi-Cal capital supplements pursuant to Section 14085.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, supplemental payments shall be made to the medical center under Section 14085.5 of the Welfare and Institutions Code for the debt service costs incurred by the county, and, if applicable, by the authority to the extent that debt service responsibility is refinanced, transferred to, or otherwise assumed by, directly or indirectly, the authority.
(I) Receive any other funds that would otherwise be available to a county provider or designated public hospital, or governmental entity with which it is affiliated.
(2) A transfer described in paragraph (1) shall not otherwise disqualify the county or the governing board, or in the case of a change in license ownership, the authority, from participating in any of the following:
(A) Local, state, and federal funding sources either specific to county or district hospitals, county or district ambulatory care clinics, designated public hospitals, or government entities with which they are affiliated, for which there are special provisions specific to those hospitals, ambulatory care clinics, or government entities.
(B) Funding programs in which the county or the governing board, by themselves or on behalf of the medical center or the other health care facility, respectively, had participated prior to the creation of the authority, or would otherwise be qualified to participate in had the authority not been created, and the maintenance, operation, and management or ownership of the medical center and the other health care facility not been transferred by the county and the governing board to the authority pursuant to this chapter.
(l) The authority, the county, and the governing board, or any combination thereof, may engage in marketing, advertising, and promotion of the medical and health care services made available to the community by the authority.
(m) The board of trustees has authority over procurement and contracts for the authority. The board of trustees shall adopt written rules, regulations, and procedures with regard to these functions. Contracts by and between the authority and any public agency, and contracts by and between the authority and providers of health care, goods, or services, may be let on a nonbid basis and shall be exempt from Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 10290) of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Public Contract Code. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the authority shall not subcontract work performed by classifications represented by employee organizations without mutual agreement between the authority and the exclusive representatives, except that a subcontract entered into prior to the formation of the authority may remain in effect until its termination or completion and may be modified or renewed to a later termination or completion date upon agreement between the authority and the exclusive representatives of the affected classifications.
(n) The authority shall be responsible for human resource functions, including, but not limited to, position classification, compensation, recruitment, selection, hiring, discipline, termination, grievance, equal opportunity, performance management, probationary periods, training, promotion, and maintenance of records. The board of trustees shall adopt written rules, regulations, and procedures with regard to these functions. Until the time that the board of trustees adopts its own rules, regulations, or procedures with regard to these functions, the existing rules, regulations, and procedures set forth in any memorandum of understanding described in paragraph (3) of subdivision (d) of Section 101658 apply. If the memoranda do not provide for the exercise of these functions, the rules, regulations, and procedures of the county apply.
(o) The authority may contract with the county or the governing board for services and personnel upon mutually agreeable terms.
(p) Notwithstanding Article 4.7 (commencing with Section 1125) of Chapter 1 of Division 4 of Title 1 of the Government Code, related to incompatible activities, a member of the authority’s administrative staff shall not be considered to be engaged in activities inconsistent and incompatible with his or her duties as a result of prior employment or affiliation with the county or the governing board.
(q) The board of trustees and the officers and employees of the authority are public employees for purposes of Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code, relating to claims and actions against public entities and public employees, and shall be protected by the immunities applicable to public entities and public employees governed by Part 2 (commencing with Section 814) of Division 3.6 of Title 1 of the Government Code, except as provided by other statutes or regulations that apply expressly to the authority.
(r) Except for Part 3 (commencing with Section 20000) of Division 5 of Title 2 of the Government Code, this chapter shall prevail over any inconsistent statutes governing employees of the authority, including, but not limited to, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 3500) of Division 1 of Title 1 of the Government Code).
(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 303, Sec. 331. (AB 731) Effective January 1, 2016.)