A bill requiring state agencies to consider the need for additional nursing facility beds or new nursing facilities and report their findings to the Legislature passed the Senate and heads to the House.

Senate Bill 6 would change the language in state law from “may” annually consider the need to “shall.” The bill came out of meetings of the summer Interim Committee on Regulation of Nursing and Assisted Living Beds.

Jen Porter, SDAHO’s vice president for post-acute care, testified in favor of the bill, saying the change ensures a reliable annual review process on nursing home bed and facility needs.