SB 1119: Hospitals: seismic compliance.

Existing law, the Alfred E. Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act of 1983, establishes a program of seismic safety building standards for certain hospitals. Existing law requires hospitals that are seeking an extension for their buildings to submit an application to the Department of Health Care Access and Information by April 1, 2019, subject to certain exceptions. Existing law requires that final seismic compliance be achieved by July 1, 2022, if the compliance is based on a replacement or retrofit plan, or by January 1, 2025, if the compliance is based on a rebuild plan. Notwithstanding the above provisions, existing law authorizes the department to waive the requirements of the act for the OConnor Hospital and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in the City of San Jose if the hospital or medical center submits a plan for compliance by a specified date, and the department accepts the plan based on it being feasible to complete and promoting public safety. Existing law requires, if the department accepts the plan, the hospital or medical center to report to the department on its progress to timely complete the plan by specified dates. Existing law imposes penalties to a hospital that fails to meet its deadline.

This bill would additionally authorize the department to waive the requirements of the act for Providence St. Joseph Hospital and Providence Eureka General Hospital in the City of Eureka, Providence St. Jude Medical Center in the City of Fullerton, and Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in the City of Tarzana. The bill would specify additional dates for the hospital or medical center to report to the department on its progress, would authorize the department to grant no more time than is necessary for the hospital to fully comply with the standards, and would impose a fine of $5,000 per calendar day if the hospital fails to comply with specified requirements or demonstrate adequate progress, as specified.

This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute.