Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and before the summary and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1. 22 MRSA §329, sub-§6, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 664, §2, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
Sec. 2. 22 MRSA §334-A, sub-§3, ¶A, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 440, §13, is amended to read:
A. Allow gross square footage per licensed bed of not less than 500 square feet unless the applicant specifies a smaller allowance for the project; and
Sec. 3. 22 MRSA §334-A, sub-§3, ¶B, as enacted by PL 2007, c. 440, §13, is amended to read:
B. Exclude the projected incremental cost associated with replacement of equipment . ; and
Sec. 4. 22 MRSA §334-A, sub-§3, ¶C is enacted to read:
C. Exclude the incremental cost of energy-efficient improvements as defined in the rules governing MaineCare reimbursement for nursing facilities.
Sec. 5. 22 MRSA §334-A, sub-§4 is enacted to read:
Sec. 6. Cost associated with energy-efficient improvements. For purposes of the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 22, section 334-A, subsection 4, the rules governing special reimbursement provisions for energy-efficient improvements are set forth in the Department of Health and Human Services MaineCare Benefits Manual, Chapter III, Section 67, subsection 44.2.4. The rules must be amended and take effect no later than January 1, 2010. The rules must require that the department provide a response to provider requests for prior approval of energy-efficient improvements within 30 days following the receipt of a request supported by sufficient information. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.’
This amendment replaces the bill. Beginning January 1, 2010, it increases the threshold amount for nursing facility projects to $1,000,000. It exempts from the full certificate of need approval certain nursing facility projects including capital expenditures under limited circumstances, nonmedical replacement equipment, information systems, communication systems, parking lots, garages and projects that implement certain energy-efficient improvements. It requires the costs associated with energy-efficient projects to be excluded from the total cost of a project in determining whether the project is subject to review. It requires the department to amend the rules governing special reimbursement provisions for energy-efficient improvements and to include requirements that the Department of Health and Human Services respond to provider requests for prior approval of energy-efficient improvements within 30 days following the receipt of a request supported by sufficient information.