Bill on New Construction Rules for Health Districts Advances in California
On Tuesday, the California Senate unanimously approved SB 1699, which would let health care districts in California use the same "design-build" process for awarding construction contracts as private hospitals, according to the Eureka Reporter.
The measure, by Sen. Patricia Wiggins (D-Santa Rosa), would eliminate a state requirement that health care districts separately must seek bids for construction projects after designs have been completed. Under SB 1699, health care districts could contract with a single company for design and construction services before plans and specifications are finalized.
Supporters of the measure include the California Hospital Association and the Association of California Healthcare Districts.
The bill now goes to the Assembly for consideration (Eureka Reporter, 5/27).