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HF 933

A bill for an act relating to pediatric palliative care centers, and including effective date provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Creates registered pediatric palliative care centers offering respite and hospice services to under-21 patients with life-limiting illnesses, with funding and rules to enable opera

Signed by Governor.
#hospiceservices #pediatrics
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Bill Summary · HF 933

Summary — HF 933 (“Mason’s Law”) — Pediatric Palliative Care Centers

Status: Signed by Governor (approved May 27, 2025). Effective upon enactment.

Main purpose

HF 933 creates a statutory classification and regulatory framework for pediatric palliative care centers (PPCCs) — residential facilities that provide respite care and hospice program services solely to children and young adults with life‑limiting illnesses. The act is titled “Mason’s Law.”

Key definitions and scope

  • Adds a definition of “pediatric palliative care patient” (new §135C.1(16A) / §135J.1(8B)):
    • Under 21 years of age;
    • Diagnosed with a chronic, complex, life‑threatening illness expected to shorten life expectancy;
    • Not expected to survive past age 21.
  • Defines a “pediatric palliative care center” as a residential care facility that serves only those pediatric palliative care patients and only provides respite care and hospice program services (amendments to §§135C.2 and 135J.1).

Regulatory and operational provisions

  • The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) must establish a special classification within the residential care facility category for PPCCs and adopt rules under chapter 17A to implement requirements.
  • PPCCs are:
    • Identified explicitly by name (“pediatric palliative care center”).
    • Exempt from certificate‑of‑need requirements (amends §10A.713; adds PPCCs to exemptions).
    • Eligible for funding sources typically available to hospice programs or facilities treating individuals with illness/disability, including but not limited to:
    • Federal Social Services Block Grant (SSBG),
    • State supplementary assistance,
    • Hospice respite benefit,
    • Home & community‑based services (HCBS) waivers,
    • Any funding under chapter 249A (Medicaid),
    • Respite‑related benefits nursing facilities may receive.
  • Operational details added (Amendment H‑1160):
    • PPCCs may provide non‑emergency nursing care (services of an RN or LPN), notwithstanding existing limits for residential care facilities.
    • May house fewer than three individuals at a time for accommodation, board, personal assistance, and other essential daily living activities.
    • Must employ a medical director.
    • Must contract with a hospice program to assist in providing core services.
    • Allows durable medical equipment/medical supplies/medications to be supplied by the patient, family, hospice contractor, or authorized DMEPOS supplier consistent with the patient’s interdisciplinary care plan.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: pediatric patients under 21 with life‑limiting illnesses and their families (expanded access to respite/hospice in a residential setting tailored to pediatric needs).
  • Providers: residential care facilities that elect to operate as PPCCs, hospice programs (contracting partners), DMEPOS suppliers, and DHHS (rulemaking, oversight).
  • Payers: federal and state programs (Medicaid, SSBG, state supplementary programs), and other funding sources identified in statute.

Implementation and timing

  • DHHS may adopt emergency rules to implement the Act; such rules are effective upon filing unless a later date is specified. Emergency rules must also be published as notices of intended action.
  • The Act takes effect immediately upon enactment (May 27, 2025).

Legislative process highlights

  • Introduced March 12, 2025. Passed both chambers unanimously (House 97–0 initially; final House concurrence 84–0). Senate amendments adopted. Signed by Governor on May 27, 2025.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Establishes a targeted, funded pathway for short‑term residential respite and hospice care tailored to pediatric patients with complex, life‑limiting conditions.
  • Removes certificate‑of‑need barriers and opens access to multiple funding streams, which may encourage development of small, specialized facilities.
  • Requires DHHS rulemaking to finalize operational standards and funding access details; emergency rules can accelerate availability.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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