To repeal section 197.318, RSMo 1994, relating to certain medical treatment facilities, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the same subject.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI,

AS FOLLOWS:

Section A. Section 197.318, RSMo 1994, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 197.318, to read as follows:

197.318. 1. The provisions of section 197.317 shall not apply to a residential care facility I, residential care facility II, intermediate care facility or skilled nursing facility only where the department of social services has first determined that there presently exists a need for additional beds of that classification because the average occupancy of all licensed and available residential care facility I, residential care facility II, intermediate care facility and skilled nursing facility beds exceeds ninety percent for at least three consecutive calendar quarters, in a particular county, and within a fifteen-mile radius of the proposed facility, and the facility otherwise appears to qualify for a certificate of need. The department's certification that there is no need for additional beds shall serve as the final determination and decision of the committee. In determining ninety percent occupancy, residential care facility I and II shall be one separate classification and intermediate care and skilled nursing facilities are another separate classification. The provisions of sections 197.300 to 197.365 shall not apply to any residential care facility I or residential care facility II which has received approval by the division of aging of plans for construction of such facility by August 1, 1995, and is licensed by the division of aging by April 1, 1996.

2. The Missouri health facilities review committee may for any facility certified to it by the department consider the predominant ethnic or religious composition of the residents to be served by that facility in considering whether to grant a certificate of need.

3. There shall be no expenditure minimum for facilities, beds, or services referred to in subdivisions (1) and (3) of section 197.317. The provisions of this subsection shall expire December 31, 1998.

4. As used in this section, the term "licensed and available" means beds which are actually in place and for which a license has been issued.

5. The provisions of section 197.317 shall not apply to any facility where at least ninety-five percent of the patients require diets meeting the dietary standards defined by section 196.165, RSMo.

6. The provisions of section 197.317 shall not apply to hospitals, tuberculosis hospitals, psychiatric hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities after August 28, 1999.