1. (1) As used in this section:

   1. (a) Board means the state board of health created in section 25-1-103.
   2. (b) Critical access hospital means a hospital that is federally designated or undergoing federal designation as a critical access hospital pursuant to 42 CFR 485, subpart F.

2. (2)

   1. (a) On or after January 1, 2026, a person operating or that wishes to operate a critical access hospital shall submit to the department on an annual basis a completed application for a critical access hospital license. On and after July 1, 2026, a person shall not operate a critical access hospital without a critical access hospital license issued by the department.
   2. (b) A person operating a hospital licensed by the department as a critical access hospital is not required to hold a general hospital license to operate the hospital.
3. (3) The board shall adopt rules establishing the requirements for licensure of, waiver from the requirements for licensure of, safety and care standards for, and fees for licensing and inspecting critical access hospitals. The board shall set the fees in accordance with section 25-3-105.

Source: L. 2024: Entire section added, (SB 24-121), ch. 439, p. 3065, § 2, effective August 7.