All Roll Calls
Yes: 102 • No: 0
IdahoH 00282025 regular legislative sessionHouse
DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho Board of Long-Term Care Facility Administrators.
Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.
Care administrators face oversight and penalties
Beginning July 1, 2025, a five-member Idaho board oversees nursing home and residential care administrators. Members include two licensed administrators, a care-related professional or representative, a nurse, and a public member. The board investigates complaints and can suspend, revoke, deny, or otherwise discipline licenses and permits after a hearing. Grounds include fraud, unfitness, improper disclosure of resident information, certain crimes, and licensing violations; Idaho hearing rules and judicial review apply. Listed licensing offenses are misdemeanors carrying up to a $500 fine, 90 days in county jail, or both.
Nursing home claims require panel review
Beginning July 1, 2025, the board helps provide and appoint panels for patient negligence or wrongful-death claims involving licensed Idaho nursing facilities. Review remains required before a lawsuit, but the panel's findings do not bind the parties. Related records follow Idaho public records law, which determines whether they are open or protected. The board can collect money from Idaho's nursing home association only as needed to reimburse panel expenses; the law sets no dollar amount. Collected money goes into the Occupational Licenses Fund.
Care facilities get temporary staffing options
Idaho nursing homes and residential care facilities must operate under a licensed administrator or an authorized temporary replacement. A nursing home designee needs documented qualifying experience and a written agreement with an Idaho-licensed administrator filed with the board; service is limited to eight continuous weeks unless the board grants an exception. For emergency vacancies, qualified residential care applicants can receive provisional permits lasting up to three months while their licenses are pending. Idaho nursing home administrators with valid licenses in good standing can apply and pay fees for residential care licenses. The board can also endorse out-of-state administrator licenses or registrations after a fee and qualification review; approval is not automatic.
Administrator renewals require fees and education
Long-term care administrators must renew their licenses every two years. Renewal requires an application, a fee, required information, and proof of continuing education required by board rules. Administrators who keep working without meeting renewal requirements face discipline. The board sets fees for applications, licenses, provisional permits, renewals, and out-of-state endorsements, but no single fee can exceed $400.
Administrator training has requirements and exemptions
Most nursing home administrator applicants must complete 1,000 hours under a licensed nursing home administrator before taking the exam. Trainees must register and file reports; training lasts no more than two years unless the board allows more time for good cause. Exemptions cover a master's degree in long-term-care-related health care administration, or a health-care-focused master's plus one year managing an inpatient health care facility. Applicants need not show medical-technique skills or meet medical standards inconsistent with the institution's care practices; this protection also covers certified members of recognized faith groups relying only on spiritual healing. If Idaho training programs are insufficient, the board must arrange training; it can approve in-state or out-of-state programs and use federal funds.
Care administrators need education and exams
Administrator exam applicants must apply, pay a board-set fee, and have no disqualifying criminal record under Idaho law. Residential care applicants must be at least 21 and complete approved specialized study. They need supervised on-site experience: 800 hours with a high school diploma, 400 with an associate degree, or 200 with a bachelor's degree; board-approved practical experience is another route. Nursing home applicants must be at least 18, have a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and complete required training; the board can approve two years of nursing home management experience for each required year of education after high school. Exams test administration skills and state health and safety rules, with uniform scope, content, and format within each license category; qualified nursing home applicants who pass must receive a license.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Carl J. Bjerke
Republican • Senate
Dori Healey
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/10/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 35 • No: 0
House vote • 2/24/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 67 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Reported Signed by Governor on March 19, 2025 Session Law Chapter 98 Effective: 07/01/2025
3/20/2025Delivered to Governor at 11:20 a.m. on March 13, 2025
3/14/2025Returned Signed by the President; Ordered Transmitted to Governor
3/13/2025SenateSigned by President; returned to House
3/12/2025SenateReceived from the House enrolled/signed by Speaker
3/12/2025SenateReported Enrolled; Signed by Speaker; Transmitted to Senate
3/12/2025HouseReturned from Senate Passed; to JRA for Enrolling
3/11/2025HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 35-0-0
3/10/2025SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
3/4/2025SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
3/3/2025SenateIntroduced, read first time; referred to: Health & Welfare
2/25/2025SenateReceived from the House passed; filed for first reading
2/25/2025SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 67-0-3
2/24/2025HouseU.C. to hold place on third reading calendar until Monday, February 24, 2025
2/21/2025HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
2/20/2025HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
2/19/2025HouseReported Printed and Referred to Health & Welfare
1/22/2025HouseIntroduced, read first time, referred to JRA for Printing
1/21/2025House
Bill Text
Bill Text
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