National Public Health Week starts Monday, April 6. Don't miss Monday's live event! 

Live Webcast - Raising the Grade

Monday, April 6, 1 - 3 p.m. EDT

Despite what you may read or hear, the U.S. is not the healthiest nation. We live shorter lives and suffer more health issues than people in other high-income countries. Join APHA President Shiriki Kumanyika, Dr. Gail Christopher and our panel of experts as we discuss opportunities that exist and challenges we need to overcome to create the healthiest nation.

This event will be held at the Kaiser Family Foundation in Washington, D.C., and will also be broadcast live on the Web to an audience across the country. 

If interested, register here.

Visit the NPHW website to learn more about the daily themes for National Public Health Week and other events in your area. Together, we can create the healthiest nation in one generation.

Close the Gap Rally

Close the Gap, a coalition dedicated to closing Idaho's healthcare coverage gap held a press conference on Tuesday to emphasize the cost of the Legislature's failure to address the issue. The rally featured Stephen Weeg, board chairman of the Your Health Idaho insurance exchange, and Beth Gray, a nurse practitioner who served on the governor's workgroup.

The coalition released a fact sheet called "The Cost of Doing Nothing" 

More information regarding Close the Gap's efforts can be found here

Sign Language Interpreter Bill

After amendments and a 17-17 tie on the Senate floor, House Bill No. 152a passed the Senate. The bill will require Idaho sign language interpreters to receive a professional license from a state board. Currently there are no requirements and there have been reports of unqualified interpreters causing miscommunications. The legislation would make attempting to interpret sign language without a license a misdemeanor and form a board to determine guidelines for certifying interpreters.

Full bill text can be found here

Senate Kills Naturopathic Licensing Legislation

After being reported out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee last week for amendment, House Bill No. 181 was defeated in the Senate. The legislation sought to provide a framework for naturopathic physicians who have graduated from an accredited Naturopathic Medical School and passed a national licensure exam. The bill would have allowed naturopathic physicians to be able to practice, while not infringing on others that are providing natural health care services.

Full bill text can be found here

Cannabidiol Oil Bill

Senate Bill No. 1146 had an exciting week.The controversial bill seeks to provide a limited affirmative defense for the possession of or use of cannabidiol oil, which can reduce the number and duration of seizures in children and adults living with epilepsy. On Monday, the House State Affairs Committee voted on a motion to send the bill to the House floor with Do Pass Recommendation, after a tie vote the legislation was held in committee. On Wednesday, the Committee voted to reconsider the decision because a committee member had been absent on Monday. The motion to reconsider the vote passed. On Thursday, the Committee voted in favor of the legislation and the bill was reported out of Committee with Do Pass Recommendation.

Full bill text can be found here

Anti-Bullying Legislation Passes

House Bill No. 246 passed this week. The legislation requires the addition of anti-bullying content in district, teacher, and staff training and orientations to aid staff in recognizing and most appropriately dealing with bullying. It also identifies a role for school superintendents and principals in informing staff and students through student hand books and other means that bullying is prohibited and to clarify what constitutes as bullying. The purpose of the bill is to clarify that school personnel are allowed to intervene where they see bullying to prevent the harm of students and to ensure that all students recognize bullying, harassment, and intimidation when it occurs. The bill was delivered to the Governor on April 1st for signature.

Full bill text can be found here

HB 301: Concealed-Carry Bill

House Bill No. 301 passed the Senate this week and will now be sent to the Governor for signature. The legislation re-codified existing law regarding concealed carry rules. New clarifications will allow for the concealed carry of weapons outside city limits and maintains that elected officials are allowed to carry concealed guns without a permit.

Full bill text can be found here

HB 264: Crisis Center Funding

The Governor signed House Bill No. 264 into law on Wednesday. The bill will provide funding for a crisis center in Northern Idaho. During his State of the State address in January, Governor Otter cited the benefits of community mental health crisis centers and urged legislators to back funding for a center in Northern Idaho. One such center was built last year in Idaho Falls. These types of centers are a place where people with mental health or substance abuse problems can get short-term help without going to a hospital emergency room or a jail cell. Local facilities such as these will reduce law enforcement and hospital related costs. A news release (http://www.gov.idaho.gov/mediacenter/press/pr2015/2%20Feb/pr_19.html ) from his office stated that the Governor's goal is eventually to establish crisis centers in each of Idaho's seven Health and Welfare regions.

Full bill text can be found here

Bills/Rules of Note

If there are specific Bills or Rules that you would like Molly to track, please let her know.

For full bill text and more information regarding bills this session, please go to the Idaho Legislature Bill Center