Bill description: This bill shortens the length of time an inpatient facility must give notice of discharge to 7 from 30 days.

Rating: +1

Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt? 


This bill is a cost-saving measure for inpatient facilities. The present 30-day notice is an inefficient use of resources forcing facilities to care for patients who have finished treatment and are cleared to leave.

This 30-day period costs approximately $15,000 to stay in the State Hospital, in addition to the cost for any place where they have to keep patients until there is an available bed, which ranges from $24,000- $36,000.This brings the total cost to taxpayers per extended 30 day stay to $39,000-$51,000.  Subsection C, 66-327, Idaho Code mandates that the state cover all costs incurred by the patients involuntarily placed in this care. (+1)