Nevada bill would move oversight of senior living referral agencies to DHHS, cap fees
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Summary
Senate Bill 299 would require senior living community referral agencies to register with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health and caps registration fees at $2,708 for initial registration and $1,354 for renewal.
Senate Bill 299 would require senior living community referral agencies to register with the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH) in the Department of Health and Human Services, and sets maximum fees for initial and renewal registration.
The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Marilyn Dondero Loop, told the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee the measure “shifts the regulation of senior living community referral agencies from the State Board of Health to the Division of Public and Behavioral Health” and removes an earlier two-thirds vote requirement. She said DPBH would adopt regulations to carry out the change and that agencies would have up to 120 days after regulations are adopted to be in compliance.
Why it matters: proponents said the change would put oversight where Medicaid and other health programs are already administered and clear a regulatory logjam that has delayed rules implementing prior legislation.
A Place for Mom, a national referral agency, and a competitor, Caring (represented by Meridian Nevada), testified in support. Beverly Grossman of A Place for Mom described the company’s model and use of disclosures: “We clearly disclose that we are paid by senior living communities,” and said referrals are provided “at no charge with no contracts or requirements to use them.” Rocky Finseth, also representing A Place for Mom, said the sector has been unable to complete implementing regulations adopted after prior legislation (SB 260 enacted in 2023) and is seeking legislative clarification to restart the regulatory process.
Key provisions and figures discussed at the hearing include a cap on the initial registration fee of $2,708 and a renewal fee cap of $1,354 as reflected in proposed regulations. The bill would remove the requirement that the agencies obtain a license from the State Board of Health and instead require registration with DPBH; DPBH would then promulgate implementing regulations.
Committee members asked how the agencies are different from consumer review lists. Assemblymember Gray asked, “Why are you guys regulated at all?” and noted the agencies function much like a business referral service. Witnesses said the regulatory placement reflects oversight of services that affect seniors and flows through DHHS rather than Commerce. Lawmakers also asked about consumer recourse when placements go poorly; Grossman said A Place for Mom maintains consumer reviews on its website, requires licensing of referred communities and does not receive payment until 30 days after placement as a safeguard.
No formal vote was recorded during the committee hearing. The committee took testimony in support from industry witnesses and did not receive in-person opposition testimony.
The hearing record shows the sponsor and representatives requested DPBH to proceed with rulemaking and indicated a desire for a workable regulatory path so referral services can operate transparently in Nevada. The bill hearing was opened and later closed by Chair Brown May after testimony and follow-up questions.
