Title 3, Human Resources

Definitions. As used in this chapter: (a) “Chief Executive Officer” means a professional person with education and experience in Healthcare Management hired by the Board of Trustees as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to manage the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in the Comm…

Establishment of Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation. (a) There is hereby established in the Commonwealth a Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, a public corporation. (b) The Corporation shall be an independent public healthcare and medical services provider, financially self-suf…

Corporate Powers. The Corporation shall have the following powers: (a) Oversee the management and operations of the Division of Public Health, the hospital on Saipan and the clinics in the Commonwealth in accordance with this Chapter; (b) Maintain and operate healthcare facilitie…

Board of Trustees Established. The Board of Trustees is hereby established, which shall have five members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. One trustee shall be from the First Senatorial District, one trustee shall be from the Second Senatorial,…

Powers and Duties of the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees shall govern, manage, and control the Corporation and shall execute the Corporation's powers and duties provided and described under this Chapter as follows: (a) To govern the operation of the Corporation in a mann…

Chief Executive Officer (CEO). (a) Upon the position of the CEO becoming vacant, the Board of Trustees shall recruit and retain a qualified person to be a fulltime CEO of the Corporation. The person shall have at least a master's degree in healthcare administration, business mana…

Hiring or Appointment. The CEO shall comply with 3 CMC § 2827(d)(5)(i) in the appointment of the Director of the Division of Public Health, Director of Medical Affairs, Director of Nursing, Director of the Community Guidance Center, Resident Director to manage the Tinian Health C…

Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In consultation with the Board of Trustees, the CEO shall recruit and retain a qualified person to hold and be a fulltime CFO of the Corporation. The person shall have at least a master’s degree in business administration and five years of experienc…

Healthcare Operations Fund (HOF), Established. (a) There is hereby established the Healthcare Operations Fund (HOF) which shall be maintained separate and apart from the general fund and other funds of the Commonwealth government. The CFO shall manage the HOF for the Corporation.…

Employment Policy. (a) The staff and employees of the Corporation shall be exempt from the application of the Commonwealth Civil Service Act, as amended (1 CMC § 8101 et seq.). The Corporation shall develop, adopt, and administer a merit-based personnel system that rewards produc…

Immunity from or Indemnification for Civil Liability. The Government Liability Act, 7 CMC § 2201 et seq., shall apply to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, and to the Board of Trustees, as if the members of the board were employees of the Corporation. Source: PL 16-51 § 3(2…

Assumption of Rights, Obligations, and Duties of the Government or the Department of Public Health. (a) To the extent feasible, and notwithstanding any liabilities or financial obligations that are due prior to the establishment of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, the Cor…

Personnel Rules Applicable During Transition. As further provided in 3 CMC § 2831, the personnel laws and rules and regulations applicable to the employees working for the Corporation on the effective date of this Act shall continue to apply to the Corporation until such time the…

Line of Credit from Marianas Public Land Trust. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, pursuant to N.M.I. Const. Art. XI § 6(d), the CNMI Legislature hereby pledges and appropriates the sum of 11.58 million dollars from future interest income distributions into…

Establishment of the Health Network Program. There is hereby established Health Network Program (HNP) within the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation. Source: PL 22-33, § 4 (Jan. 31, 2023). Commission Comment: Legislative Findings of 2023 Legislation.— In addition to severability …

Duties and Responsibilities of the Health Network Program. (a) Assist eligible CNMI patients who are approved pursuant to the program’s rules and regulations to access healthcare that is not available on patients’ respective home islands within the Commonwealth, or healthcare whi…

Transition. (a) The date of transfer of the Off-Island Medical Referral Program as described in Executive Order No. 2013-09, to the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, shall be within 120 days from January 31, 2023. (b) Before the date of transfer, the Office of the Governor sha…

Payment of Benefits to Certain Persons Already Entitled to Benefits under the Trust Territory Social Security Act. Any person entitled as of January 1976 or a later month to monthly benefits under the Trust Territory Social Security Act [73 TTC § 1 et seq.] on the basis of wages,…

Finality of Determinations under Trust Territory Social Security Act. Final coverage determinations of the Trust Territory Social Security Board with respect to wages received or alleged to have been received before January 1, 1976, for employment shall be accepted by the Social …

Reimbursement of Trust Territory Social Security System. The U.S. Commissioner of Social Security shall enter a financial agreement with the Trust Territory Social Security Board to reimburse the Trust Territory Social Security System for: (a) Services performed by officials of t…