District of ColumbiaB26-0025Council Period 26 (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

Certificate of Need Improvement Amendment Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Christina Henderson (Democratic)

Became Law

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 5 mixed.

Easier path to graduate social worker license

If you have a CSWE‑accredited master’s or doctorate and meet the other non‑exam rules, the Board must license you as a graduate social worker. The exam requirement does not apply to that initial license. Before your first renewal, you must either pass a national exam or complete 1,500 supervised hours under a licensed social worker.

Higher certificate of need limits, fewer reviews

The law raises the project review limit to $15 million and the equipment limit to $5 million. It excludes nonpatient projects and like‑for‑like equipment replacements from counting toward review. It defines and excludes private offices without operating rooms and digital‑only telehealth networks from being treated as facilities, and ties service exemptions to those exclusions. It raises the service change trigger to 20% and says any new in‑person service at a physical location needs review. Patient counts include non‑residents. It removes the 3‑year cap on certificate duration. It sets two‑year index updates for capital and equipment thresholds. It defines virtual networks and platforms and adds virtual‑only platforms serving District residents to proposals that must go through review.

Wholesale sales allowed to food businesses

Businesses covered by the rule can now sell wholesale to licensed food establishments. This adds a new channel alongside direct, retail, and online sales.

Public certificate of need list, easier filings

The Department posts a public list of complete certificate‑of‑need applications from the past three years with outcomes. Applicants may use financial statements up to five years old. The law adjusts advisory board seats and removes several outdated code subsections.

Rules for medical group practices and pay

A group practice must have two or more DC‑licensed providers, bill as a group, and members must personally do at least 75% of doctor‑patient visits. Pay cannot be tied to referral volume. Profit‑sharing and productivity bonuses are allowed. Faculty practice plans have a special rule.

Simple registration for offices and telehealth

Private offices without operating rooms, virtual telehealth networks, and FQHC look‑alikes must register with the Department of Health. New entities register before operating; existing ones have two years to register. Each physical site registers separately. Fees are capped at $100 per year (indexed), and renewals cannot be more often than every 3 years. The median approval time is under 10 business days, and only reasonable, basic info can be required. Fee revenue goes to the Health Occupations Regulation Fund.

New board for acupuncture, chiropractic, naturopathy

The health occupations board is renamed and reduced to seven members. It now has two acupuncturists, two chiropractors, two naturopathic physicians, and one consumer member. Initial terms are staggered at two years and three years.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Christina Henderson
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 24 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2025

Final Reading, CC

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

First Reading, CC