50-5-103. Rules and standards -- accreditation. - Montana Statutes

     50-5-103. Rules and standards -- accreditation. (1) The department shall adopt rules and minimum standards for implementation of parts 1 and 2.
     (2) Any facility covered by this chapter shall comply with the state and federal requirements relating to construction, equipment, and fire and life safety.
     (3) The department shall extend a reasonable time for compliance with rules for parts 1 and 2 upon adoption.
     (4) Any hospital located in this state that furnishes written evidence required by the department, including the recommendation for future compliance statements to the department of its accreditation granted by the joint commission on accreditation of health care organizations, is eligible for licensure in the state for the accreditation period and may not be subjected to an inspection by the department for purposes of the licensing process. The department may, in addition to its inspection authority in 50-5-116, inspect any licensed health care facility to answer specific complaints made in writing by any person against the facility when the complaints pertain to licensing requirements. Inspection by the department upon a specific complaint made in writing pertaining to licensing requirements is limited to the specific area or condition of the health care facility to which the complaint pertains.
     (5) The department may consider as eligible for licensure during the accreditation period any health care facility located in this state, other than a hospital, that furnishes written evidence, including the recommendation for future compliance statements, of its accreditation by the joint commission on accreditation of healthcare organizations. The department may inspect a health care facility considered eligible for licensure under this section to ensure compliance with state licensure standards.
     (6) The department may consider as eligible for licensure during the accreditation period any rehabilitation facility that furnishes written evidence, including the recommendation for future compliance statements, of accreditation of its programs by the commission on accreditation of rehabilitation facilities. The department may inspect a rehabilitation facility considered eligible for licensure under this section to ensure compliance with state licensure standards.
     (7) The department may consider as eligible for licensure during the accreditation period any outpatient center for surgical services that furnishes written evidence, including the recommendation for future compliance statements, of accreditation of its programs by the accreditation association for ambulatory health care. The department may inspect an outpatient center for surgical services considered eligible for licensure under this section to ensure compliance with state licensure standards.
     (8) The department may consider as eligible for licensure during the accreditation period any behavioral treatment program, chemical dependency treatment program, residential treatment facility, or mental health center that furnishes written evidence, including the recommendation for future compliance statements, of accreditation of its programs by the council on accreditation. The department may inspect a behavioral treatment program, chemical dependency treatment program, residential treatment facility, or mental health center considered eligible for licensure under this section to ensure compliance with state licensure standards.

     History: En. Sec. 171, Ch. 197, L. 1967; amd. Sec. 22, Ch. 366, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 448, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 74, Ch. 349, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 69-5213; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 347, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 432, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 279, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 9, Ch. 415, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 366, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 99, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 188, L. 1997; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 401, L. 2003.