HB2450 Summary

• Adds hospice homes as defined in section 321-15.1 to the list of state-licensed health care facilities subject to Department of Health inspection and online reporting requirements.

• Requires the Department of Health to conduct unannounced annual inspections of hospice homes, with inspection frequency determined by the department to ensure health, safety, and welfare of residents.

• Changes hospice service agency licensing from discretionary ("may license") to mandatory ("shall license") under section 321-15.63.

• Establishes annual licensing for the first two years of hospice service agency operation, then biennial licensing thereafter, with return to annual licensing if complaints are received.

• Effective July 1, 3000, with provisions applying to inspections occurring on or after January 1, 2020.