HB 7222 Summary

• Modifies institutional licensing requirements to require applicants to submit fees along with license applications to the Department of Public Health.

• Adds "outpatient dialysis unit" as a defined institution type and updates definitions of various health care facilities including behavioral health facilities and nursing homes.

• Establishes a comprehensive birth defects surveillance program requiring hospitals to screen newborns for birth defects prior to discharge and licensed health care professionals to report detected defects to the Department of Public Health within 48 hours.

• Updates water supply well regulations to increase capacity threshold for household and small commercial subsurface sewage disposal systems from 5,000 to 7,500 gallons per day and clarifies testing and reporting requirements for private wells.

• Implements multiple public health and licensing reforms including dental hygiene continuing education requirements, occupational therapy supervision standards, marital and family therapist licensing exemptions, and various updates to professional disciplinary procedures and emergency medical services protocols.