§16-5B-2. Hospitals and institutions to obtain license; qualifications of applicant.

No person, partnership, association, corporation or any local governmental unit or any division, department, board or agency thereof may continue to operate an existing ambulatory health care facility, ambulatory surgical facility, hospital or extended care facility operated in connection with a hospital, or open an ambulatory health care facility, ambulatory surgical facility, a hospital or extended care facility operated in connection with a hospital, unless such operation shall have been approved and regularly licensed by the state as hereinafter provided. Licenses shall be issued for a particular number by type of beds and/or type of services. Any change in the number by type of bed and/or type of services shall require the issuance of a new license.

Before a license shall be issued under this article, the person applying, if an individual, shall submit evidence satisfactory to the state department of health that he is not less than eighteen years of age, of reputable and responsible character and otherwise qualified. In the event the applicant is an association, corporation or governmental unit, like evidence shall be submitted as to the members thereof and the persons in charge.

Every applicant shall, in addition, submit satisfactory evidence of his ability to comply with the minimum standards and with all rules and regulations lawfully promulgated. Every applicant shall further submit satisfactory evidence that he has implemented the paternity program created pursuant to section thirteen of this article.