08 LC 33
2466
House
Bill 1400
By:
Representative Everson of the
106th
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to health care facilities, so as to create the Level 1 Trauma Care and Hospital
Authority Oversight Committee; to provide for membership and duties of such
oversight committee; to provide for cooperation by and information from hospital
authorities and other entities to assist the oversight committee in its duties;
to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other
purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Chapter
7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to health care
facilities, is amended by adding a new article to read as follows:
"ARTICLE
4A
31-7-100.
(a)
There is created the Level 1 Trauma Care and Hospital Authority Oversight
Committee, to be composed of nine members, three of whom shall be appointed by
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, three of whom shall be appointed by
the President of the Senate, and three of whom shall be appointed by the
Governor. The members of the committee shall serve two-year terms. The
committee shall select a chairperson from among its membership; provided,
however, that the chairperson shall serve as such for a term of one year and the
chairperson´s position shall rotate each year between a member of the House
and a member of the Senate. The committee shall meet at least twice annually
and may have additional meetings at the call of the chairperson.
(b)
The oversight committee shall study, inquire into, and review the operations of
any Level 1 trauma center as designated by the department operated by a hospital
authority created pursuant to Article 7 of this chapter with respect to the
operations, contracts, safety, financing, organization, and structure of the
trauma center and any such hospital authority. Such oversight shall also include
study, inquiry, and review of uncompensated trauma care services provided by
designated Level 1 trauma centers, trauma care readiness of such trauma centers,
and the overall implementation of the state´s trauma center network
established pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 11 of this title. The oversight
committee may conduct any independent audit or investigation of any Level 1
trauma center operated by a hospital authority it deems necessary.
(c)
A hospital authority created pursuant to Article 7 of this chapter shall be
required to cooperate with the oversight committee and provide information to
such committee upon request. The oversight committee may request and receive
reports from any such hospital authority in order to conduct any study, inquiry,
or review pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section.
(d)
The Department of Community Health, the Department of Human Resources, and the
Georgia Trauma Care Network Commission shall also provide information to the
oversight committee upon request in order to accomplish its duties pursuant to
this Code section."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.