Bill > SB0820

This bill amends the Public Health Code to require hospitals to adopt a policy that allows patients who are giving birth to have certain individuals present with them during their hospital stay. Specifically, the bill requires hospitals to allow patients to have either their partner/spouse and a doula, or a doula and a companion if the patient does not have a partner/spouse available. The bill provides limited exceptions where hospitals can limit or exclude individuals from being present, such as during a public health emergency or if the individual poses a safety risk. The bill also requires hospitals to have a process for receiving information about a pregnant patient's care from a health professional, such as a midwife, who is transferring the patient's care.