Same; cooperative agreement for which certificate of public advantage issued is lawful agreement; negotiating and entering into cooperative agreement is lawful conduct; application of act; effect of provisions of cooperative agreement

(a) A cooperative agreement for which a certificate of public advantage has been issued is a lawful agreement. If the parties to a cooperative agreement file an application for a certificate of public advantage governing the agreement with the secretary, the conduct of the parties in negotiating and entering into a cooperative agreement is lawful conduct. Nothing in this act shall apply to any cooperative agreement, or to the actions of persons negotiating or executing a cooperative agreement, not submitted and approved in accordance with the provisions of this act. (b) The provisions of this act shall apply to any agreement among health care providers by which ownership or control over substantially all of the stock, assets or activities of one or more health care providers is placed under the control of another health care provider. (c) The provisions of this act shall not apply to: (1) Any cooperative agreement entered into by health care providers prior to the effective date of this act; or (2) any authorized activity of a rural health network under K.S.A. 65-468 et seq., and amendments thereto. (d) The rights and responsibilities of the parties to a cooperative agreement shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the cooperative agreement.