AN ACT ESTABLISHING LICENSURE FOR LONG-TERM ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS AND REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO STUDY THE DESIGNATION OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND CHRONIC DISEASE HOSPITALS.

SB 1395 establishes a new licensing requirement for long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs), which are specialized facilities treating patients with complex, long-term conditions requiring intensive medical care. The bill replaces existing definitions in state law to explicitly include LTACHs under the "institution" category, requiring them to obtain licensure from the Department of Public Health starting October 1, 2025. It also directs the Department of Public Health to study how to formally designate "long-term care facilities" and "chronic disease hospitals" for regulatory clarity. This bill directly affects LTACHs and healthcare providers operating such facilities, creating a new regulatory pathway for these specialized hospitals.