Senate panel advances bill to update assisted-living rules, streamline licensing and redirect fines to remediation

Boise — The Idaho Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1102, the "Idaho Residential Care or Assisted Living Act," to the Senate floor with a do-pass recommendation after testimony from the bill sponsor and representatives of assisted-living providers.

Senator Camille Blaylock, sponsor of SB 1102, told the committee the bill "seeks to address the over regulation of residential care and assisted living communities in Idaho" and aims to make it easier to open and operate facilities while fostering a partnership with the Department of Health and Welfare.

The bill’s provisions described in committee testimony include: simplifying licensing for new and existing providers; allowing a licensed administrator to oversee up to three facilities under a single license; permitting administrators to delegate day-to-day operational duties to building managers; scheduling routine licensing surveys with 30 days’ notice (while…