HB 1605 -- RELATING TO CERTIFICATES OF NEED

SPONSOR: Van Schoiack

This bill modifies several provisions relating to certificates of need. It modifies the definitions of rural and urban areas, as specified in the bill. This definition of urban areas only applies to the counties of Clay, Jackson, St. Charles, St. Louis, and the City of St. Louis.

In determining whether a certificate of need should be granted for certain facilities applying in a designated urban area, no consideration shall be given to facilities or equipment of any other health care facility located more than 10 miles from the applying facility. Likewise, for certain applying facilities in a rural area of the state, no consideration shall be given to the facilities or equipment located more than 20 miles from the applying facility.

In determining whether to grant a certificate of need for any beds for an applying facility, the same rule applies for licensed beds located more than 10 miles from an urban applying facility and 20 miles from a rural applying facility.

In determining whether to grant a certificate of need for additional beds for any intermediate care facility or nursing facility, the health facilities review committee shall base its decision on the service area's need, as specified in the bill.

Any application seeking approval of new or additional beds in any intermediate care facility, skilled nursing facility, residential care facility, or assisted living facility shall not be considered if the minimum average occupancy of all existing licensed beds in the service area is not at least at 80% for the most recent beds report.

In addition to its existing duties, this bill requires the Health Facilities Review Committee to conduct ongoing reviews of bed count accuracy and information in applications for certificates of need, as well as employ a coordinator and additional staff to perform the duties assigned to the Committee and designate the coordinator to perform any administrative functions that may be required of the Committee.

This bill is similar to HB 777 (2023).

Statutes affected:
Introduced (3466H.01): 197.305, 197.315, 197.318, 197.321, 197.330