HB135 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim WadsworthRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Hospitals required to provide notice and hold public hearing prior to closure or termination of services

Summary

HB 135 would require hospitals planning to close to give advance notice to state and local agencies, hold a public hearing in the affected community, and provide earlier notice if they plan to terminate certain health services.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, inpatient hospitals intending to cease operations must send written notice at least 90 days before closure to specified state and local offices. If the hospital plans to request waivers of service requirements before closing, it must notify those entities at least 45 days before termination of those services. The bill also requires a public hearing at least 30 days before closure in the affected area, and publication of hearing notices in a local newspaper for two weeks prior to the hearing.

Who It Affects

• Hospitals that plan to cease operations would have to provide the required notices (90 days for closure, 45 days for service waivers) and hold a public hearing.
• Residents, patients, and local communities would receive advance information and have a chance to participate in the public hearing, with notifications to relevant government offices by certified mail.

Key Provisions

• Written notice of planned closure at least 90 days before the closure date to the Department of Public Health, Certificate of Need Review Board, Department of Mental Health, chair of the county commission, judge of probate, sheriff, and mayor if applicable (by certified mail).
• If waivers of service requirements will be requested, written notice at least 45 days before termination of those services to the same entities.
• A public hearing at least 30 days before the planned closure date in the municipality or near the hospital/county seat, with general information about the closing process and opportunities for questions, and publication of the hearing notice in a general-circulation newspaper once per week for two weeks.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Hospitals