All Roll Calls
Yes: 99 • No: 2
IdahoS 10152025 regular legislative sessionSenateWALLET
HOSPITALS – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding the licensure and inspection of hospitals.
Sponsored By: HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Signed by Governor
HOSPITALS
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
Property tax relief recognizes care facility stays
Beginning July 1, 2025, qualifying intermediate care facilities count as care facilities for property tax reduction claims. Otherwise-qualified claimants living in care facilities can keep their property classified as their main home. They cannot allow paying occupants, but payment of utilities alone does not count. An estate can also count the deceased owner's time holding title toward a claim's ownership requirement. This estate rule applies when the owner died without filing a timely property tax reduction claim.
Social work exemption for care facility employees
Certain employees at licensed nursing or intermediate care facilities are exempt from the social-work chapter's licensing requirements. The facility must name the employee in writing as responsible for its social services program. The employee must also receive regular consultation from a qualified social worker.
Crisis rules cover intermediate care facilities
Idaho's crisis-standards chapter now includes intermediate care facilities within its definition of health care facilities. This extends the chapter's facility coverage. It does not establish a new payment or individual eligibility rule.
Licensing standards for hospitals and care facilities
Hospitals, nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities must meet Idaho licensing standards. Hospitals must maintain Medicare certification through recognized accreditation or a state finding that they meet federal hospital standards. Nursing and intermediate care facilities must maintain federal certification. Initial applicants need an acceptable application and at least substantial compliance. Facilities must stay within approved bed limits and report name, ownership, lessee, and management changes; federal deadlines govern ownership, lessee, and management notices. Administrator changes must be reported within 72 hours, and ownership or operator changes require a new application. Idaho can deny or revoke licenses for unsafe conditions. Otherwise, licenses remain in force until surrendered or federal certification standards are no longer met.
Patient records follow public disclosure law
Idaho's public records law governs identifying patient and resident information the health department receives through reports, inspections, or other authorized means. The law removes the previously stated exception for licensing proceedings. This does not mean all patient information becomes public; disclosure follows the public records law. Physician-patient communications remain confidential and legally protected.
Care facilities face inspections and enforcement
Idaho's health department must arrange inspections and investigations it finds necessary. Before specified construction, additions, or alterations, facilities must submit plans for approval or compliance recommendations. The department recognizes the latest Facility Guidelines Institute design and construction guidelines. Running a covered hospital, nursing facility, or intermediate care facility without a required license is a misdemeanor. Penalties reach six months in county jail, a $300 fine, or both; each day is a separate offense. The department can also ask a court to stop unlicensed operations.
Four state care rulebooks no longer apply
Beginning July 1, 2025, four Idaho health department rulebooks no longer apply. They cover skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, and intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities. The affected rules are IDAPA 16.03.02, 16.03.07, 16.03.14, and 16.03.11, respectively. These provisions do not describe individual requirements or replacements, so specific effects on costs, services, and patient protections are unclear.
Hospice licensing exemptions retain accreditation requirements
Home health agencies do not need a state license or certification under this facility licensing chapter. Medicare-certified hospice agencies and their hospice homes are also exempt. A hospice house and its owning and operating Medicare-certified hospice agency must still maintain recognized accreditation status. That status must come through an accrediting organization recognized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
More care facilities enter assessment framework
Idaho broadens which intermediate care facilities fall under its assessment-fund chapter. Facilities must meet the definition in Idaho Code section 39-1301 and hold a license under the facility licensing chapter. The definition no longer limits coverage to facilities serving people with intellectual disabilities. This provision states no assessment amount or resulting payment change.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Camille Blaylock
Republican • Senate
Josh Wheeler
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/14/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 64 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/4/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 35 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Signed by Governor on 03/19/25 Session Law Chapter 122 Effective: 07/01/2025; 07/01/2025 IDAPA Sunset Clause - SECTION 42, 43, 44, & 45
3/20/2025Reported delivered to Governor at 4:10 p.m. on 03/18/25
3/19/2025Reported signed by the Speaker & ordered delivered to Governor
3/18/2025Received from Senate; Signed by Speaker; Returned to Senate
3/18/2025HouseReported enrolled; signed by President; to House for signature of Speaker
3/17/2025SenateReturned From House Passed; referred to enrolling
3/17/2025SenateRead Third Time in Full – PASSED - 64-2-4
3/14/2025HouseU.C. to hold place on third reading calendar one legislative day
3/13/2025HouseRead second time; Filed for Third Reading
3/12/2025HouseReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation, Filed for Second Reading
3/11/2025HouseRead First Time, Referred to Health & Welfare
2/5/2025HouseReceived from the Senate, Filed for First Reading
2/5/2025HouseRead third time in full – PASSED - 35-0-0
2/4/2025SenateRead second time; filed for Third Reading
2/3/2025SenateReported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation; Filed for second reading
1/31/2025SenateReported Printed; referred to Health & Welfare
1/22/2025SenateIntroduced; read first time; referred to JR for Printing
1/21/2025Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
Related Bills
H 0479, TAXATION – Amends House Bill 40, House Bill 304, and existing law to revise provisions regarding certain tax deductions, certain corporate income tax rates, certain protections for taxpayers, and certain sales tax distributions and to revise an effective date.
H 0482, APPROPRIATIONS – Relates to the appropriation and transfer of moneys in the state treasury for fiscal years 2025 and 2026; provides an additional appropriation to the Military Division for fiscal year 2025; and provides pay increases to the Military Division in accordance with the federal general schedule pay scale.
H 0465, APPROPRIATIONS – PUBLIC SCHOOLS – DIVISION OF STUDENT SUPPORT – Relates to the appropriation to the Public Schools Educational Support Program’s Division of Student Support for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
H 0460, APPROPRIATIONS – DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION – Relates to the appropriation to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
H 0477, APPROPRIATIONS – DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND WELFARE – FOSTER AND ASSISTANCE PAYMENT PROGRAM – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for fiscal year 2026.
H 0457, TAXATION – Adds to existing law to provide that certain fees related to animal adoption and rescue are not subject to sales and use taxes.