Establishes licensing standards for rural emergency hospitals. Provides that certain personal information is confidential if a complaint is filed with the Indiana department of health (department). Allows the department to analyze information submitted by entities regulated by the department for quality improvement purposes. Adds rural emergency hospitals to the statute specifying that the licensure of a rural emergency hospital does not affect the statute pertaining to the placement and adoption of children. Repeals the provision concerning a provisional license for certain hospice programs. Provides that the definition of "home health services" includes community based palliative care. Establishes standards for housing with services establishments that offer memory care services. Changes references from "venereal disease" to "sexually transmitted infection". Allows a local health officer to issue a birth, death, or stillbirth certificate from the electronic registration system regardless of the location of the filing of the record. Removes the requirement that the department develop educational materials concerning prenatal and neonatal transmission of HIV. Removes the requirement that the department be notified if certain emergency responders request test results following a potential exposure to a serious communicable disease. Changes the date that the department submits a report concerning childhood lead poisoning. Removes the exemption to a vendor of a farmer's market or roadside stand from the requirements relating to food products that are not potentially hazardous. Amends the criteria for a safety pin program (program) grant proposal. Provides that if the department approves a program grant proposal, the department shall determine the initial award amount and the amount to be distributed once the grantee meets certain performance metrics. Provides a preference for awarding grants from the program to populations with demonstrable higher need. Provides that the center for deaf and hard of hearing education shall provide assistance to classroom instruction and professionals. Makes technical and conforming changes.
Sponsored bills
Exempts military pay for members of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or the national guard from the individual income tax. (Current law provides an individual income tax exemption for members of a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States or the national guard for the period the member is mobilized and deployed.) Exempts military pay earned by members of an active component of the armed forces of the United States from the individual income tax. (Current law exempts from the individual income tax the military pay earned by members of the National Guard and reserve components of the armed forces of the United States while serving on active duty.)
Requires the office of the secretary of family and social services to: (1) perform a comprehensive review of existing home health services for children with complex medical needs; (2) assess the home health services and policies for a person-centered approach; and (3) engage stakeholders in the assessment to solicit feedback on issues securing and maintaining home health services.
Allows a board that regulates a health care provider or a regulated professional under IC 25 to use electronic means of communication to conduct meetings if certain requirements are met. Allows the Indiana department of health (state department) to collect certain information from individuals who provide home health services, are a qualified medication aide, or are a certified nurse aide. Adds the board of physical therapy and the state department's consumer services and health care regulation commission for purposes of workforce renewal information and an annual report. Establishes time periods for the professional licensing agency (PLA) to post meeting agendas and meeting minutes on the applicable board's website. Requires the PLA to post certain information concerning board vacancies and application forms. Requires the PLA to send notification to an applicant of incomplete items in an application. Requires that new and renewed licenses with the PLA be submitted electronically, unless a paper application is requested. Requires the PLA to post on its website information about the number of licenses issued and wait times for the licenses. Requires the governor to fill a vacancy on certain occupational boards within 90 days. Allows the PLA to make an appointment to the board if the governor does not make the appointment. Allows the board to issue a temporary permit for a registered nurse applicant and a licensed practical nurse applicant.
Authorizes the statewide 911 board to increase the following fees one time in the period beginning after April 30, 2023, and ending before July 1, 2026: (1) The enhanced prepaid wireless charge. (2) The statewide 911 fee. (Current law allows the board to adopt one time increases to each fee in the period that began after April 1, 2020, and ends before July 1, 2023.)
Allows a home health agency to: (1) provide services in any county in Indiana; and (2) satisfy supervising home health aide services requirements by complying with federal law. Allows: (1) the Indiana department of health (state department) to adopt rules concerning the oversight and supervision of the services a home health agency provides in noncontiguous counties; and (2) the state health commissioner to waive rules adopted concerning home health agencies if certain conditions are met. Provides that a home health agency is not required to conduct a preemployment physical on a job applicant before the individual has contact with a home health agency patient. Allows a registered home health aide to administer gastrointestinal and jejunostomy tube feedings to a specific patient if specified conditions are met. Requires the state department to approve at least one training curriculum concerning the administration of tube feedings. Repeals laws concerning drug testing of home health agency employees.
Provides that an area agency on aging designated by the bureau of aging services (area agency) may establish a dementia care specialist program. Allows an area agency to designate at least one individual as a dementia care specialist to administer the program. Provides that the division of aging (division) may employ a dementia care specialist coordinator. Sets forth the duties of: (1) a dementia care specialist; and (2) the dementia care specialist coordinator; if an area agency or the division establishes those positions. Makes conforming changes.
Provides that a rule requiring an office based setting to be accredited by an accreditation agency does not apply to certain individuals providing anesthesia in a dental office. Allows an anesthesiologist, a certified registered nurse anesthetist, and an anesthesiologist assistant to administer moderate sedation, deep sedation, or general anesthesia to a patient in a dental office if certain standards are met.
Requires the behavioral health and human services licensing board to administer the professional counselors licensure compact (compact). Adopts the compact. Sets forth requirements of a member state. Sets forth the duties and authority of the counseling compact commission (commission). Allows a counselor in a home state to practice via telehealth in a member state. Allows each member state to have one delegate on the commission. Establishes the procedure to withdraw from the compact. Makes conforming changes.
Congratulating Vice Admiral Sean Buck on his retirement from the United States Navy.