A. 1. The application by any person for a license to operate a hospital within the meaning of Section 1-701 et seq. of this title shall be accompanied by a fee to be determined by the number of beds available for patients, to be established by the State Commissioner of Health, but not to exceed Ten Dollars ($10.00) for each bed included in the maximum bed capacity at such facility.
2. For the purpose of determining the fee, the total number of beds shall include cribs and bassinets.
B. No such fee shall be refunded unless licensure is refused. All licenses shall be for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of issue. Provided that licenses may be issued for a period of more than twelve (12) months, but not more than twenty-four (24) months, for the license period immediately following the enactment of this provision in order to permit an equitable distribution of license expiration dates to all months of the year.
C. Fees for such extended licensure period shall be prorated according to the total months to be licensed, with such amounts to be calculated to the nearest dollar.
D. All licenses:
1. Shall be on a form prescribed by the Commissioner and shall not be transferable or assignable;
2. Shall be issued only for the premises named in the application;
3. Shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the licensed premises; and
4. May be renewed for twelve-month periods upon application, investigation and payment of license fee, as in the case of procurement of an original license.
E. The Commissioner shall review current law and rules promulgated by the Commissioner that mandate that a hospital post a notice, poster or sign in public spaces. The purpose of this review shall be to coordinate the placement, format and language required in mandatory signage. All signage shall be reviewed for the following:
1. Duplication of information;
2. Reduce the potential for confusion to patients, families of patients and others; and
3. Administrative burden of compliance.
Added by Laws 1963, c. 325, art. 7, § 704, operative July 1, 1963. Amended by Laws 1978, c. 286, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1979; Laws 1993, c. 269, § 13, eff. Sept. 1, 1993; Laws 1999, c. 93, § 3, eff. Nov. 1, 1999; Laws 2020, c. 150, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2020.