Bill would move senior-living referral oversight to DHHS and set registration rules

Sen. Marilyn Dondero Loop told the Senate Health and Human Services Committee she was presenting Senate Bill 299 to revise how senior-living community referral agencies are regulated and to create a state registration system overseen by the Division of Public and Behavioral Health.

SB 299 would move oversight of senior-living referral agencies from the State Board of Health to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH). The bill requires agencies that provide referrals to register with the division, sets renewal and registration requirements, directs DPBH to adopt regulations, and removes the board-licensing requirement for those agencies. The bill draft includes a registration fee; if enacted it would require a two-thirds legislative vote because the fee becomes statutorily required rather than left to the board’s discretion.

Why it matters: Supporters said registration would create transparent, consistent rules for referral agencies that help families find housing and care for older adults. Beverly Grossman of A Place for Mom described the company’s advising model and said the bill would create a “rational and transparent” process while preserving consumer disclosures and family choice; she said advisers are not paid based on the cost of a recommended community.

Business perspective and questions: Rocky Finseth (Carrera) and other referral agencies said SB 299 is intended to implement the Legislature’s earlier 2023 direction (SB 260) and to streamline regulation after implementation issues delayed adoption of regulations following that session. Testimony from competitors (Caring, Meridian/other firms) supported the bill as a consumer-protection and transparency measure. Committee members asked about the fee level (the bill cites a registration/renewal fee and a two-thirds requirement); LCB and legal counsel explained the fee mirrors fees in existing regulation (an issuance fee of $2,708 and a renewal fee of $13.54 were referenced) and that converting the fee into statute triggers the two-thirds vote requirement.

Local providers and senior-coalition groups including the Senior Coalition of Washoe County, Personal Care Association of Nevada and Senior Spectrum spoke in favor, saying families need help navigating senior options. No formal opposition testimony was recorded in the hearing.

Implementation window: The bill includes a transition provision: agencies that previously held a license may operate without new registration for up to 120 days after the regulations are adopted and approved, and the sponsor said she aimed to ensure family services are not disrupted during regulatory changes.

Ending note: The committee received technical questions about the fee calculation and timing for regulation adoption. Supporters characterized the bill as a cleanup and implementation bill stemming from 2023 legislation; the committee did not record a formal vote at the hearing.