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Committee sends rule-to-statute measure on mental-health and substance-use services to print
Summary
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted to send RS31829, which would move existing Department of Health and Welfare rules for adult mental-health, children's mental-health and substance use disorder services into Idaho code, to print for introduction.
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee voted unanimously to send RS31829 to print, a measure that would move three sets of Department of Health and Welfare program rules for mental-health and substance-use services into Idaho statute.
Senator Julie Van Orden, R-District 30, presented the request, saying the measure does not change services but would place program definitions, certification standards and eligibility screening requirements into Idaho code so the Legislature, rather than the administrative-rule process, would address them. "It doesn't increase or decrease services to anybody. It only moves existing program regulations into statute," Van Orden said.
The RS would relocate definitions and eligibility-screening rules for children's mental-health services (cited in the presentation as Idaho Code chapter 16, chapter 24), adult mental-health services and substance-use disorder services into statutory text. The RS also includes repeal language to remove the existing administrative rule sets on the same effective date—July 1—so the statutory sections would take their place.
The committee recorded a voice vote on the motion to send RS31829 to print. Senator Blaylock moved the motion and Senator Lehi seconded; the motion "carries with a voice vote," according to the record. No amendments or further conditions were recorded at the meeting.
Background: Committee staff had previously reviewed the three rule sets during the committee's rule-review session; the RS was introduced to convert those rule provisions into statute rather than to change program eligibility or service levels. The bill text provided to the committee indicates it moves definitions and screening requirements and repeals the administrative rules on the statutory effective date.
The committee did not direct staff to make additional changes before print. The RS will follow the standard bill-introduction and hearing process after printing.
