1. (a) The state department may waive the requirements in sections 2 and 3 of this chapter upon written request by the hospital only if:

   1. (1) the closure or an elimination of a service line described in section 2 of this chapter is necessary due to a natural disaster, catastrophic facility failure, or other emergency event beyond the hospital's control; or
   2. (2) the state department determines that the waiver is necessary to protect the public's health and safety, including the loss of practitioners necessary to provide the service line.
2. (b) The state department shall in a reasonable time period post on the state department's website any waiver granted under this section and the justification for the waiver.

As added by P.L.124-2026, SEC.6.