HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 431        FILED ON: 1/12/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1136

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Gailanne M. Cariddi

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act requiring hospitals to conduct annual public meetings.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 431        FILED ON: 1/12/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1136

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 1904 OF 2015-2016.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

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An Act requiring hospitals to conduct annual public meetings.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding any general or special law or rule or regulation to the contrary, a hospital licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health shall, at least annually, conduct a public meeting to discuss issues relating to the operation of the hospital and concerns of the community with respect to the delivery of services at the hospital and the health care facilities listed on its license. 

SECTION 2.  The chief executive officer of the hospital, the chairman of the hospital board of trustees, and at least 25% of the members of the hospital board of trustees must be present at the meeting and available to respond to questions from members of the public.

SECTION 3.  The annual meeting shall be open to members of the public and organized so as to provide the community served by the hospital with information about the operation of the hospital, and to provide an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions and raise issues of concern to them.

SECTION 4. Public notice of the meeting shall be provided by each of the following:

(a) At least 14 days prior to the date of the meeting by posting written notice in the hospital in a conspicuous location that is available to the public;

(b) By publishing the notice in a daily or weekly newspaper of general circulation in the service area of the hospital.

(c) At least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting by posting notice on the hospital's internet website;

(d) Notice to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect 90 days after passage.