Indiana § 16-21-15-3 - Merger agreement application; requirements; filing; fees; costs
Full text of Indiana Indiana Code § 16-21-15-3 — Merger agreement application; requirements; filing; fees; costs, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 16-21-15-3. Merger agreement application; requirements; filing; fees; costs
Sec. 3. (a) Any hospital entering into a merger agreement with another hospital may submit an application to the state department for a certificate of public advantage to govern the merger agreement in the manner prescribed by the state department. However, a hospital may not submit an application under this chapter after May 13, 2025.
(b) The application for a certificate of public advantage must include the following:
(1) A written copy of the merger agreement.
(2) A written description of the nature and scope of the merger.
(c) Any documentation submitted under this section with the application that is deemed to be proprietary information shall be clearly identified as proprietary information and a copy of the application with the proprietary information redacted for public records must be submitted by the applicant.
(d) An applicant must also file a complete copy of the application for a certificate of public advantage with:
(1) the office of the secretary of family and social services in a manner prescribed by the office of the secretary; and
(2) the office of the attorney general in a manner prescribed by the office of the attorney general.
(e) The state department shall assess a filing fee for an application for a certificate of public advantage that is reasonably sufficient to fully fund the costs of the review of the application and ongoing supervision if the application is granted, including any fees for consultants and experts. The state department may not spend any money on the implementation of this chapter until the state department has received a filed application and received the filing fee.
(f) If the state department incurs costs of the review of the application and administration of the program that exceed the application fee collected, the applicant for a certificate of public advantage shall pay the reasonable charges incurred by the state department, as determined by the state department.
(g) The reasonable costs of services concerning the program:
(1) include the cost of fees for consultants and experts; and
(2) must be commensurate with the usual compensation for like services.
As added by P.L.104-2021, SEC.2. Amended by P.L.62-2022, SEC.4; P.L.143-2022, SEC.43; P.L.100-2025, SEC.2.
Source: official Indiana text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Indiana § 16-21-15-3
What does Indiana Code § 16-21-15-3 cover?
Section 16-21-15-3 ("Merger agreement application; requirements; filing; fees; costs") is part of the Indiana Code, the codified statutory law of Indiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Indiana § 16-21-15-3?
A common citation format is "Indiana Code § 16-21-15-3" (Indiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Indiana law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Indiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Indiana attorney.
How does Indiana § 16-21-15-3 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Indiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Indiana.