Certificate of need repeal-3.

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is July 1, 2026, not the year mentioned in the candidate explanation.

Repealing Certificate of Need for Health Care Facilities

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 This Bill 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 Names or Affects

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

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.

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.

Official Summary Text

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.

Current Bill Text

25LSO-0775

ORIGINAL House

Bill No
.
HB0289

ENROLLED ACT NO. 49,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2025 General Session

AN ACT relating to public health and safety; authorizing the department of health to approve alterations or additions to health care facilities for purposes of health care and life safety compliance determinations only; repealing bed expansion limitations for nursing care facilities and hospitals as specified; requiring reports; and providing for an effective date.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1
.

W.S. 35
‑
2
‑
906(a) is amended to read:

35
‑
2
‑
906.

Construction and expansion of facilities; exemption.

(a)

A licensee who contemplates construction of or alteration or addition to a health care facility shall submit plans and specifications to the division for preliminary inspection and approval prior to commencing construction. Significant changes to the original plans must also be submitted and approved prior to implementation.

The plans and any changes shall indicate any increase in the number of beds.
Information submitted pursuant to this subsection shall be used by the division only for purposes of health care and life safety compliance determinations.

Section 2.

W.S. 35
‑
2
‑
901(a)(v) and 35
‑
2
‑
906(b), (c), (f) and (g) are repealed.

Section 3
.

On or before September 1, 2029, the department of health shall report to the joint labor, health and social services interim committee on the status of construction of nursing care facilities and whether hospitals and nursing care facilities are positively or adversely affected by this act.

Section 4
.

This act is effective July 1, 2026
.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

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