Bill > SB169

This bill mandates that hospitals with emergency departments must screen patients for an "emergency pregnancy-related medical condition," defined as a severe medical issue where immediate attention is needed to prevent serious harm to the patient's health, bodily functions, or organs. If such a condition is identified, the hospital must either provide necessary treatment to "stabilize" the patient, which includes terminating a pregnancy if medically required to stabilize them, or transfer the patient to another facility. Importantly, a hospital must allow a pregnancy termination if a healthcare provider determines it's medically necessary for stabilization. The bill also clarifies that hospitals are not liable if a patient or their representative refuses further examination, treatment, or transfer after being informed of the risks and benefits, provided reasonable steps are taken to secure written consent for the refusal. Furthermore, hospitals cannot transfer a patient with an unstabilized emergency pregnancy-related medical condition unless it complies with federal law (42 U.S.C. § 1395dd, which pertains to emergency medical treatment and labor act requirements) and prohibits penalizing healthcare providers or employees for refusing to authorize transfers or for providing treatment consistent with medical standards to stabilize a patient, or for reporting violations. Hospitals that negligently violate these provisions face civil penalties, with amounts varying based on hospital bed count, and provisions are included to coordinate with federal investigations and potential fines. This bill also amends existing law to ensure that hospitals must allow pregnancy terminations when medically necessary for stabilization, overriding previous provisions that allowed hospitals to refuse or refer for such procedures.