(a)    (1)    The Collaborative shall direct the establishment of Rural Health Complexes by:

(i)    Assessing the needs of communities in the mid–shore region that lack access to essential community–based primary care, behavioral health, specialty care, or dental care services;

(ii)    Identifying care delivery models that have the potential to reduce deficits in care; and

(iii)    Convening health and hospital systems, community organizations, and local stakeholders to build consensus on the appropriate scale of a Rural Health Complex.

(2)    (i)    The Secretary shall approve a Rural Health Complex:

1.    Recommended by the Collaborative by a majority of a quorum of the Collaborative present and voting;

2.    That meets the standards and criteria established by the Collaborative for a Rural Health Complex; and

3.    If the Rural Health Complex demonstrates that it meets the standards and criteria established by the Collaborative.

(ii)    A complex that fails to meet the standards and criteria established by the Collaborative shall relinquish its designation as a complex.

(3)    On or before December 1, 2020, the Collaborative shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the standards and criteria that a community must meet to establish a Rural Health Complex before the Collaborative approves a Rural Health Complex.

(b)    On or before December 1, 2021, and December 1 each year thereafter, the Collaborative shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on its activities regarding health care delivery in the mid–shore region, including:

(1)    The number of Rural Health Complexes approved;

(2)    The effect that each Rural Health Complex had on the health status of the overall population and the vulnerable population in its community; and

(3)    The effect that Rural Health Complexes have had on the available community–based health care resources in communities where complexes have been established.