Senate committee backs bill to ease assisted‑living rules, send to floor

Senate Bill 1102, the Idaho Residential Care or Assisted Living Act, was sent to the Senate floor with a do‑pass recommendation after the Senate Health and Welfare Committee heard sponsor testimony and industry support.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Camille Blaylock, seeks to reduce what she described as “over regulation of residential care and assisted living communities in Idaho,” simplify licensing and operations for providers, and foster a more collaborative relationship between the Department of Health and Welfare and providers. "This seeks to address the over regulation of residential care and assisted living communities in Idaho," Blaylock told the committee as she introduced the measure.

Supporters said the changes are intended to address workforce pressures, inconsistent enforcement and outdated requirements. Robert Vandermer, executive director of the Idaho Healthcare Association, told the committee the bill narrows broad statutory language that previously could produce major citations for relatively minor lapses and adds definitions (for example, "immediate jeopardy") previously only found in rule. Vandermer said the changes will help smaller operators remain viable while keeping serious safety problems subject to…