Sec. 21. (a) Subject to subsection (c), an acute care hospital that is:
(1) established and operated under IC 16-22-2, IC 16-22-8, or IC 16-23; and
(2) licensed under IC 16-21;
may apply to the division of mental health and addiction for certification as a community mental health center in the form and manner prescribed by the division of mental health and addiction. The division of mental health and addiction shall, upon receipt of an application for certification, review the application. The review shall be conducted in a timely manner.
(b) The division of mental health and addiction shall:
(1) ensure an applicant meets all organizational and operational standards, including standards concerning services, governance, quality, and financial obligations required for community mental health centers; and
(2) review an application without consideration for previously established exclusive geographic primary service restrictions.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a person that was certified as a community mental health center by the division of mental health and addiction before January 1, 2024, may:
(1) maintain certification, if the division of mental health and addiction determines the person continues to meet certification requirements; or
(2) as necessary, apply for recertification.