Approval of applications for safety, licensing, or accreditation

(a) Notwithstanding section 323D-43, the state agency shall approve an application for a certificate of need for a capital expenditure which is required: (1) To eliminate or prevent imminent safety hazards as defined by federal, state, or county fire, building, or life safety codes or regulations, or (2) To comply with state licensure standards, (3) To comply with accreditation standards, compliance with which is required to receive reimbursements under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act or payments under a state plan for medical assistance approved under Title XIX of such Act, unless the state agency finds that the facility or service with respect to which the capital expenditure is proposed to be made is not needed or that the obligation of the capital expenditure is not consistent with the state health services and facilities plan in effect under section 323D-15. (b) An application for a certificate of need approved by the state agency under this section shall be approved only to the extent that the capital expenditure is required to eliminate or prevent the hazards described in paragraph (1) or to comply with the standards described in paragraph (2) or (3).