Committee approves sending HB290 to the floor to move immunization rules into statute

Representative Healy, R-West Boise, presented House Bill 290 to the House Health and Welfare Committee. He described the bill as a straightforward transfer of immunization-related administrative rules into statute and said the move is primarily a cleanup that does not change existing requirements.

Healy said the bill consolidates immunization provisions that previously existed across numerous rule sections (day care, school levels and registry opt-in/opt-out language). "By moving these into statute, we will then be back in control by the elected body," Healy said, adding that the Department of Health and Welfare would currently be able to change some provisions by temporary rule if they remain in rule form.

Healy characterized the change as not substantive: "Nothing is changing. It's just a simple clean up." After presentation, Representative Wheeler moved to send House Bill 290 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee approved the motion by voice vote; the chair recorded the motion passed and directed that HB290 be sent to the floor with a due-pass recommendation.

The transcript records no public testimony or fiscal analysis during this hearing. Healy noted specific rules exist (for example, a rule allowing the Department to randomly select licensed day care facilities for visits and a rule addressing exclusion for parents who opt out), and he said those provisions remain in effect whether in rule or statute.