(a)  It is the intent of the Legislature that projects for a general acute care hospital designated as a sole community provider and licensed for less than 100 beds, projects for the establishment or expansion of skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, and projects for skilled nursing beds or intermediate care beds in health facilities other than skilled nursing or intermediate care facilities be processed as expeditiously as possible, consistent with the purposes of this chapter.

(b)  In reviewing an application for projects for a general acute care hospital designated as a sole community provider and licensed for less than 100 beds, a project for a skilled nursing facility, a project for an intermediate care facility, or a project for skilled nursing beds or intermediate care beds in health facilities, the office director shall consider only need, expected utilization and financial feasibility, compliance with applicable laws and regulations, and whether the proposed facility will enhance access to the population to be served.

(c)  The following exceptions to the procedural provisions of this chapter shall apply to applications for projects for a general acute care hospital designated as a sole community provider and licensed for less than 100 beds, projects for the establishment or expansion of skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, or a project for skilled nursing beds or intermediate care beds in health facilities other than skilled nursing or intermediate care facilities:

(1)  The notification of intent specified in Section 127225 shall not be required prior to the filing of an application.

(2)  Upon a determination that an application is complete pursuant to Section 127220, the office shall promptly publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the geographical area to be served by the project. The notice shall describe the project and provide that any affected person may request, in writing, that the office hold a public hearing in the course of its review. The notice shall state the address where the request shall be made and the time period when it shall be made. The written request shall be based upon the applicable review criteria and shall specify the review criteria.

(3)  No hearing need be held by the office in the course of its review unless ordered by the office within 30 calendar days after the application is determined to be complete. In those cases when no hearing is required to be held, the office shall, within 30 calendar days after the application is determined to be complete, issue a decision approving the project in its entirety or with modifications or conditions as have been agreed to in writing by the office and the applicant.

(d)  The office shall amend its regulations and application forms as may be necessary to effectuate the purposes of this section.

(Added by Stats. 1995, Ch. 415, Sec. 9. Effective January 1, 1996.)