Bill > SB128

This bill establishes new hospital reporting requirements regarding suspected child abuse, exploitation, or neglect. Hospitals will now be required to submit monthly reports to the commission that include: the number of reports made to the Department of Family and Protective Services about alleged child abuse, whether the hospital informed the child's parents or guardians that they can seek an alternative medical opinion, and specific medical coding related to the suspected abuse (such as CPT, DRG, or ICD codes). Each report must also include a signed affidavit from physicians who assigned these medical codes, specifying whether the code was based on direct observation or information from hospital staff. If a hospital fails to submit these reports, they may be subject to administrative penalties that vary based on the hospital's total gross revenue, ranging from $10 to $1,000 per day of violation. The commission is required to provide written notice and a 15-day opportunity to correct the violation before imposing penalties. Additionally, the commission must submit quarterly reports to the legislature summarizing these hospital reports, with the new requirements set to take effect on September 1, 2025.