LICENSE REQUIRED

(a) A person may not establish, conduct, or maintain a limited services rural hospital unless: (1) the United States Congress passes a bill creating a payment program specifically for limited services rural hospitals or similarly designated hospitals that becomes law; and (2) the commission issues a license to the person to establish, conduct, or maintain a limited services rural hospital under this subchapter. (b) If the United States Congress enacts a bill described by Subsection (a)(1) that becomes law, the executive commissioner shall adopt rules: (1) establishing minimum standards for the facilities; and (2) implementing this section. (c) The standards adopted under Subsection (b) must be at least as stringent as the standards established in the law described by Subsection (a) for eligibility to qualify for a payment program established by the law. (d) An applicant for a license under this section must: (1) submit an application for the license to the commission in a form and manner prescribed by the commission; and (2) pay any required fee. (e) The commission shall issue a license to act as a limited services rural hospital under this subchapter if the applicant complies with the rules and standards adopted under this section. (f) The commission by order may waive or modify the requirement of a particular provision of this chapter or a standard adopted under this section if the commission determines that the waiver or modification will facilitate the creation or operation of the facility and that the waiver or modification is in the best interests of the individuals served or to be served by the facility. Sections 241.026(d) and (e) apply to a waiver or modification under this section for a limited services rural hospital in the same manner as the subsections apply to a waiver or modification for a hospital. (g) A provision of this chapter related to the enforcement authority of the commission applies to a limited services rural hospital.