(a) The department may, at the request of a hospital, commission an independent study of market need and feasibility, as required by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, as part of an application for mortgage insurance for hospitals pursuant to Section 1715z-7 of Title 12 of the United States Code, or any other federal mortgage insurance program for health-related facilities.
(b) The cost of the feasibility study permitted pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be paid for by the department from reimbursements received from the applicant.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the department may directly retain independent feasibility consultants and require a deposit from the applicant for the entire cost of the services at the time they are requested.
(d) The department shall charge applicants a fee for the reasonable costs of administering this article.
(e) The program provided for in this article shall be administered in conformance with the requirements of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development for feasibility studies authorized by this section and the applicable requirements of state law pertaining to contracts.
(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 143, Sec. 232. (AB 133) Effective July 27, 2021.)