INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Governor Holcomb signed on to a piece of legislation regarding hospital mergers during the final week of the 2022 legislative session.

Senate Enrolled Act 298 defines “merger” and “merger agreement” as they relate to the certificate of public advantage needed for certain hospital mergers.

The Indiana State Department of Health would be responsible for actively supervising any merger. The state department would also enter into an agreement with a nonprofit or a postsecondary educational institute in order to study the impacts of the certificate of public advantage on the community’s health metrics and outcomes.

Sen. Jon Ford is listed as a co-author on the legislation and Rep. Alan Morrison is listed as a sponsor.

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Gov. Holcomb also signed a bill this week that requires certain training for home health aides.

Senate Enrolled Act 353 requires a registered home health aide who provides care to an individual diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia or a related cognitive disorder to complete certain training.

The IDH would work to identify and approve a dementia training program that meets certain requirements and would also establish and implement a process for approval of the program.

Home health aides who complete the training would be issued a certificate as proof of compliance.

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More events could be coming to the area thanks to a third piece of legislation signed by Gov. Holcomb.

Senate Enrolled Act 245 establishes a statewide sports and tourism fund to organize and hold sports and tourism events in Indiana.

The Indiana Destination Development Corporation will administer the fund and distribute a grant amount equal to the amount appropriated by the general assembly to the Indiana Sports Corporation.

The ISC would be required to ensure that no less than 30% of the money received each biennium is used for events taking place outside of Marion County.

The ISC would be able to award grants to other eligible entities to organize and hold events in the Hoosier state.

For a list of the bills Gov. Holcomb has signed so far this session, visit the 2022 Bill Watch page.