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Wyoming2025Enacted

HB0289

Repealing Certificate of Need for Health Care Facilities

Last scannedOct 9, 2026, 2:19 AM

In one sentence

This law changes how health care facilities can be altered or expanded, removing some limits on adding beds and changing who approves these changes.

What it does

  • Allows the Department of Health to approve alterations or additions to health care facilities only for safety reasons.
  • Removes restrictions that limit the number of beds in nursing homes and hospitals.
  • Requires the Department of Health to report about construction status by September 1, 2029.

Who it affects

  • Health care facilities like hospitals and nursing homes
  • The Department of Health

Limits and unknowns

  • This law only affects facilities regulated by the Department of Health.
  • It does not specify how many beds can be added, just that there are no limits anymore.
  • Future reports will show if this act has positive or negative effects on health care.

Plain language

Terms to know

Certificate of Need
A document that a health care facility needs to get approval for changes or expansions.
Department of Health
The government agency responsible for public health and safety in Wyoming.

Official record

Sources

Source checked
Read the official summary

Bill Summary - 25LSO-0775 Bill No.: HB0289 Effective: 7/1/2026 LSO No.: 25LSO-0775 Enrolled Act No.: HEA No. 0049 Chapter No.: 102 Prime Sponsor: Geringer Catch Title: Certificate of need repeal-3. Has Report: Yes Subject: Alterations to health care facilities. Summary/Major Elements: This act authorizes the Department of Health to approve alterations or additions to health care facilities for purposes of health care and life safety compliance determinations only. This act repeals bed expansion limitations for nursing care facilities and hospitals. Comments: Requires a report from the Department of Health to the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee on or before September 1, 2029. Has a delayed effective date of July 1, 2026. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Public statements

Why lawmakers voted

Last checked Aug 5, 9:27 PM

Voted No

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe it will increase general fund costs by shifting Medicaid patients to new nursing homes that do not accept them, potentially leading to higher taxes.

Public statementFloor statement at 36:51 Watch the statement

Evie Brennan

R · S31

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill arguing that repealing certificate of need will increase competition, thereby improving both the quality and quantity of nursing home care for an aging population.

Public statementFloor statement at 39:32 Watch the statement

Gary Crum

R · S10

Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill because repealing the restrictions will eliminate monopolies and foster competition to create better nursing homes.

Public statementFloor statement at 41:34 Watch the statement
Voted Yes

Why they voted this way

The lawmaker supports the bill based on a general principle favoring less regulation.

Public statementFloor statement at 41:54 Watch the statement

If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.

Wyoming roll calls

Recorded votes

4 roll calls

S 3rd Reading:Passed 24-5-2-0-02025-02-27 · Senate24 yes 5 no
S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-02025-02-19 · Senate5 yes 0 no
H 3rd Reading:Passed 58-2-2-0-02025-02-12 · House58 yes 2 no
H10 - Labor:Recommend Do Pass 8-0-1-0-02025-02-07 · House8 yes 0 no

Official activity

Bill history

  1. Assigned Chapter Number 102LSO
  2. Governor Signed HEA No. 0049 Governor
  3. S President Signed HEA No. 0049Senate
  4. H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0049House
  5. Assigned Number HEA No. 0049LSO
  6. S 3rd Reading:Passed 24-5-2-0-0Senate
  7. S 3rd Reading:Laid BackSenate
  8. S 2nd Reading:PassedSenate
  9. S 2nd Reading:Laid BackSenate
  10. S COW:PassedSenate
  11. S Placed on General FileSenate
  12. S01 - Judiciary:Recommend Amend and Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0Senate
  13. S10 - Labor:Refer to S01 - JudiciarySenate
  14. S Introduced and Referred to S10 - LaborSenate
  15. S Received for IntroductionSenate
  16. H 3rd Reading:Passed 58-2-2-0-0House
  17. H 2nd Reading:PassedHouse
  18. H COW:PassedHouse
  19. H Placed on General FileHouse
  20. H10 - Labor:Recommend Do Pass 8-0-1-0-0House

Changes

Amendments

1 stored

HB0289SS001

The amendment changes the year from 2026 to 2025 in a specific part of the bill.