Committee advances bill aiming to address pediatric hospital overstays and unlicensed placements

House Bill 962, described by committee counsel as legislation to address pediatric patient overstays in hospitals and related placements of foster children in unlicensed settings, passed out of the House Appropriations Committee after amendments.

Counsel explained the bill targets pediatric overstays — children who remain in hospital care while awaiting placement — and that the Hospital Association reported an average of roughly 50 children per week affected statewide. The committee adopted amendments that removed a mandated appropriation from the bill text; the House budget passed earlier in the week included a $3,000,000 appropriation for the purpose.

The amendments also reflect interagency work: the departments of health and human services will each have a designated overstay coordinator, and the legislation establishes a work group to address pediatric overstays and related issues such as foster children placed in hotels or other unlicensed facilities. Committee members moved, seconded and approved the amendments, and then approved the bill on a roll-call vote.

The transcript records committee votes in favor across the roll call and the chair declared the bill passed. The committee noted collaboration among the Departments of Health and Human Services and the Hospitals Association in drafting implementation details; the House budget appropriation was cited as the principal funding source for initial actions.