Hospitals, facilities and staffing laws by state

HB 614: Rural Health Transformation Program, appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027

Appropriates up to $203,404,327 in federal funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 to the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs for the Rural Health Transformation Program for fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, distributed across eleven initiatives including rural health, workforce, maternal health, and EMS programs.

Took effect 1 October 2026

SB 145: Hospitals, private hospital assessment and Medicaid funding program sunset clause removed.

Privately operated hospitals must pay an assessment of 6.00 percent of net patient revenue to the Alabama Medicaid Agency, determined using Medicare Cost Report data. The assessment is permanent with no sunset date. The Medicaid Agency must make quarterly inpatient and outpatient hospital access payments to eligible hospitals.

Took effect 1 October 2026

HB 110: An Act relating to the rural health transformation program; relating to the interstate medical licensure compact; relating to the PA licensure compact; relating to the psychology interjurisdictional compact; relating to the practice of respiratory care; relating to the duties of the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development; relating to telehealth provided by respiratory care practitioners; relating to a social work licensure compact; relating to the practice of social work; relating to medical malpractice liability of respiratory care practitioners; relating to immunity from civil liability for a respiratory care practitioner providing free health care services; relating to national criminal history record checks; relating to respiratory care practitioners providing documentation and treatment plans for public school students with asthma or anaphylaxis; relating to the recognition of EMS personnel licensure interstate compact; prohibiting unfair discrimination under group health insurance against respiratory care practitioners; establishing the Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council; and providing for an effective date.

The Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development must regulate respiratory care practitioners under AS 08.90. Applicants for expedited medical licenses, compact privileges for audiologists and speech-language pathologists, and physician assistant licenses must submit fingerprints and fees for criminal history record checks. Respiratory care practitioners must use appropriate professional identification letters or titles on all signs, stationery, and advertising.

HB 36: An Act relating to treatment foster homes; relating to the placement of foster children in hospitals and residential psychiatric treatment centers for psychiatric care; relating to the duties of the Department of Family and Community Services; relating to the care of children in state custody placed in psychiatric residential treatment facilities outside the state; amending Rule 12.1(b), Alaska Child in Need of Aid Rules of Procedure; and providing for an effective date.

Mental health providers must allow minors 16 years or older to consent to up to five outpatient behavioral or mental health services appointments without parental consent. After the fifth appointment, providers must determine whether obtaining parental consent would be detrimental to the minor's well-being. Treatment foster homes must ensure staff participate in ongoing trauma-informed care training.

SB 1253: safe haven providers; hospital deliveries

Safe haven providers must immediately transport newborn infants to hospitals for physical examination and notify the department of child safety. Private adoption agencies must take custody within twenty-four hours after examination or the department contacts the next agency on a rotating list. If no agency takes custody within forty-eight hours, the department takes custody.

SB 1345: health facilities; anonymous complaints; prohibition

The Department of Health Services may not accept or investigate anonymous complaints against health care institutions unless the complaint is from either the subject of the allegation or a witness to the conduct being alleged.

SB 1564: electronic monitoring; long-term care

Each assisted living facility and nursing care institution must disclose to the department by December 1, 2026 or upon initial licensure whether it allows residents to install electronic monitoring devices in resident rooms, uses electronic monitoring in common spaces, or uses technology to monitor room entry and occupancy. Licensees must notify the department of any changes to these practices.

HB 2176: health facilities; licensure; complaints; investigations

The department shall notify licensees of the general nature of complaints while protecting complainant identity. The department may deny health care institution licenses or ownership changes if the applicant or related persons have enforcement actions, license denials/revocations/suspensions, or recent serious violations posing direct risk to patient safety. The department must include applicable statutes or rules in statements of deficiencies and consider only violations occurring within twelve months before complaint submission, except for abuse allegations.

HB 2195: nursing facilities; records; surveys; timelines

Beginning July 1, 2027, the department shall issue statements of deficiencies to nursing care institutions within ten business days after completing state surveys. The department may not investigate alleged violations occurring more than twelve months before complaint submission, except for abuse allegations. The department may conduct off-site preliminary reviews to determine if on-site investigations are necessary.

SB 58: To remove the prohibition on nonprofit, tax exempt, or governmentally-funded hospitals holding a licensed pharmacy permit for the sale at retail of drugs.

The Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy must issue retail pharmacy permits to nonprofit, tax exempt, or governmentally funded hospitals licensed by the Department of Health. Such hospitals may hold one retail pharmacy permit per hospital pharmaceuticals services and one per one hundred beds. Hospitals participating in the 340B Drug Pricing Program must inform patients of their freedom to choose any pharmacy.

AB 1199: Medical staff: health care provider credentialing.

Governing bodies of general acute care hospitals and acute psychiatric hospitals must require medical staff to establish controls ensuring high standards of professional ethical practices. Medical staff must require members to demonstrate ability to perform surgical and other procedures competently at original appointment and every three years thereafter. Staff reappointments must occur at least every three years.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

SB 503: Health care services: artificial intelligence.

Developers and deployers of artificial intelligence systems used to support clinical decisionmaking or health care resource allocation must make reasonable efforts to identify and mitigate risks of biased impacts in system outputs. Deployers must regularly monitor these systems and take reasonable steps to mitigate bias. Beginning January 1, 2027, developers must report compliance efforts to the department before commercial deployment.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

AB 1696: Emergency services and care: nurse-midwives.

Health facilities and health care service plans shall not require physician supervision of a nurse-midwife licensed under Business and Professions Code Section 2746.5 when the nurse-midwife provides emergency services and care in labor and delivery units, obstetric triage, or dedicated emergency obstetric evaluation units within the scope of licensure, or when specifically requested by the treating physician for obstetric consultation.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

AB 2598: Health care facilities: notification of next of kin.

General acute care hospitals and skilled nursing facilities must make a reasonable attempt to notify any known next of kin within 72 hours of a person's death. If unable to locate next of kin or if requirements are met, they must notify the county public administrator within two business days.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

SB 1323: Health care providers: patient access: immigration enforcement.

Health care provider entities must establish procedures for monitoring visitors and post a notice at main public entrances stating that no person will access nonpublic areas for immigration enforcement without state or federal law requirement or valid judicial warrant. Personnel must immediately notify management of immigration enforcement requests and inform staff on responding to such requests and to requests from persons in immigration custody seeking to notify family members.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

SB 1400: Alameda Health System: hospital authority.

The Board of Supervisors of Alameda County may establish a hospital authority to manage the Alameda Health System. The enabling ordinance must authorize the governing board to include representatives of local public entities contributing financial support, and may consist entirely of board supervisors or include county officers or employees. The hospital authority may affiliate with or acquire additional public or private hospitals, clinics, or programs.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

AB 2613: Health care service plans: provider contract termination: notice.

Health care service plans must notify enrollees by United States mail at least 60 days before contract termination with a provider group or general acute care hospital. Plans must also send electronic notice via text message or email if the enrollee has opted in and provided contact information. If the plan later reaches an agreement with the terminated provider, the plan must notify affected enrollees within 60 days and offer the option to return to that provider.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

SB 165: Skilled nursing facilities: reimbursement rates.

The State Department of Health Care Services must continue collecting the skilled nursing facility quality assurance fee through December 31, 2027, and implement reimbursement rate methodologies for freestanding skilled nursing facilities according to specified annual increase limits through 2027. Skilled nursing facilities must demonstrate compliance with direct care service hours, minimum wage laws, and wage passthrough requirements upon department request.

SB 596: Health facilities: administrative penalties.

The State Department of Public Health must assess administrative penalties against licensees of health facilities that violate nurse-to-patient ratio regulations: fifteen thousand dollars for the first violation and thirty thousand dollars for the second and each subsequent violation. General acute care hospitals may avoid penalties by demonstrating unpredictable staffing fluctuations, prompt remedial efforts, and exhaustion of on-call nurse lists.

AB 489: Health care professions: deceptive terms or letters: artificial intelligence.

Entities that develop or deploy artificial intelligence or generative artificial intelligence systems must not use terms, letters, or phrases in advertising or functionality that indicate or imply the advice, care, reports, or assessments are provided by a natural person with an appropriate health care license or certificate.

SB 520: Nurse-midwifery education program.

The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall administer the California Nurse-Midwifery Education Fund, establish competitive application criteria for selecting education program sites within California State University or University of California, ensure master's degrees are offered, and support annual operating costs through first cohort graduation or five years, whichever is shorter.

SB 669: Rural hospitals: standby perinatal services.

Participating critical access hospitals must establish and maintain standby perinatal services meeting specified standards, including Level I maternal and neonatal care capabilities, 24-hour physician and nursing coverage within 30 minutes, required equipment and supplies, quality improvement programs, and quarterly data reporting to the State Department of Public Health.

SB 582: Health and care facilities: licensing during emergencies or disasters.

Skilled nursing facilities must review external disaster and mass casualty program plans at least once per year, seek input from county/regional/local planning offices including the medical health operational area coordinator, incorporate lessons learned from recent disasters, and provide plan copies to local emergency planning offices. Licensees of various health and care facilities may request inactive license status if nonoperational due to destruction, significant damage, or prolonged closure from declared emergencies or disasters.

AB 1418: Department of Health Care Access and Information.

Health facilities, clinics, home health agencies, and hospices shall annually report to the Department of Health Care Access and Information starting January 1, 2027, whether all health care employees eligible for employer-sponsored coverage are eligible without a waiting period, and if not, report the length of waiting periods by employee classification using specified date ranges.

AB 447: Emergency room patient prescriptions.

Prescribers may dispense unused portions of non-controlled dangerous drugs to emergency room patients upon discharge if the drug was administered from single patient use multidose packaging, can be self-administered, and dispensing is required to continue treatment. An automated unit dose system used to dispense dangerous drugs to emergency room patients is exempt from licensure if operated by a licensed hospital pharmacy that owns or leases it.

AB 627: California Health Facilities Financing Authority Act.

The California Health Facilities Financing Authority must establish financial eligibility standards for working capital loans by studying the creditworthiness of a participating health institution, together with pledged revenues, debt service coverage, and basic security. A participating health institution determined to be in financial distress shall not be deemed financially eligible.

AB 894: General acute care hospitals: patient directories.

Beginning July 1, 2026, general acute care hospitals must inform patients or their representatives at admission that they may restrict or prohibit use or disclosure of protected health information in the hospital's patient directory. Hospitals must provide this information using a separate document with a checkbox and verbal notification, in the top five non-English languages spoken in the hospital's service area.

SB 351: Health facilities.

A private equity group or hedge fund involved with a physician or dental practice doing business in California must not interfere with physicians' or dentists' professional judgment in making health care decisions or exercise control over patient records, hiring, billing, equipment selection, or contractual relationships with payers. Such entities must not enter contracts containing non-compete or disparagement clauses barring providers from competing or commenting on quality of care or revenue-increasing strategies.

AB 645: Emergency medical services: dispatcher training.

By January 1, 2027, a public safety agency that provides 911 call processing services for emergency medical response must provide prearrival medical instructions to 911 callers requiring medical assistance, including airway and choking instructions, AED and CPR instructions, childbirth, bleeding control, epinephrine administration, and naloxone administration. Instructions must be approved by the local EMS agency medical director and implemented consistent with the public safety agency's medical protocols.

SB 250: Medi-Cal: provider directory: skilled nursing facilities.

The State Department of Health Care Services must include skilled nursing facilities as a searchable provider type in the Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Care Options provider directory that lists accepted Medi-Cal managed care plans. The department must annually update this provider directory to ensure information is accurate and readily accessible to the public.

SB 338: Virtual Health Hub for Rural Communities Pilot Program.

The State Department of Public Health shall administer the Virtual Health Hub Fund and distribute grants to partnerships of community-based organizations to establish and deploy virtual health hubs in two rural communities. Grant recipients must deploy hubs equipped with computers, Wi-Fi, cubicles for virtual visits, and exam rooms for telemedicine, and report specified deidentified data to the department.

AB 960: Patient visitation.

A general acute care hospital must allow a patient with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, cognitive impairment including dementia, or another disability to have a family or friend caregiver with them as needed, including outside standard visiting hours, unless the hospital reasonably determines the visitor would endanger health or safety, significantly disrupt operations, or impede medical care delivery.

Took effect 1 January 2026

AJR 3: Public social services: Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

This resolution calls on California's Congressional Representatives to support legislation repealing provisions of H.R. 1 that adversely affect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and opposes privatization of these programs. It also calls on the President to restore program staffing and rescind executive orders affecting these programs.

Took effect 1 January 2026

AB 116: Health omnibus trailer bill.

Skilled nursing facilities must have an alternative power source for at least 96 hours during power outages, complying on or after January 1, 2026 when the State Department of Health Care Services publishes notice of sufficient legislative appropriation. Pharmacy benefit managers must obtain a Department of Managed Health Care license by January 1, 2027 or when the licensure process is established, whichever is later.

HB 1432: Health-Care Payment Programs

The Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise Board must approve the Hospital Quality Incentive Program's percentage of hospital reimbursement, program structure, performance measures, and scoring methodology prior to implementation. Hospitals receiving payments must deliver safer, more effective care that improves patient outcomes and reduces preventable utilization. New performance measures must remain in place for a defined period not to exceed three years before modification or replacement.

HB 1336: Increase Access to Pharmacy Services

SB 191: Gifts Grants & Donations for Nursing Facilities

HB 1366: Denver Health Federal Funds for Physician Services

Authorizes the state to maximize reimbursement for physician services at Denver Health and Hospital Authority through a state-directed payment program under federal regulations. Appropriates $3,527,482 from the healthcare affordability and sustainability hospital provider fee cash fund for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

HB 1107: Health Care in Regulated Facilities

HB 1238: Designating Emergency Medical Services Essential Services

Designates emergency medical services, including ambulance and air ambulance services, as essential services in Colorado. Defines emergency and nonemergency ambulance services, out-of-hospital services, and clarifies that off-duty providers have no obligation to respond.

HB 1305: Licensing of Behavioral Health Facilities

SB 7: Medical Marijuana Use in Health Facilities

Health facilities may allow terminally ill patients registered with the medical marijuana program to use medical marijuana in non-smoking or non-vaping forms consistent with physician recommendations. Health facilities must require proof of valid registry identification, document usage in medical records, develop written guidelines for possession and storage, and reasonably restrict use to ensure safety and compliance with state law.

SB 25-297: Implementation of Colorado Natural Medicine Initiative

SB 25-192: Sunset Community Health Service Agency

SB 25-071: Prohibit Restrictions on 340B Drugs

Manufacturers, third-party logistics providers, repackagers, and their agents or affiliates shall not deny, restrict, prohibit, discriminate against, or limit acquisition or delivery of 340B drugs to covered entities or contracted pharmacies. Manufacturers shall not require submission of health information or data unrelated to federal health care program claims. Reporting hospitals shall not use 340B savings for board compensation exceeding thirty-five percent annually, tax penalties, certain advertising, lobbying, board travel expenses, or gifts.

HB 25-1213: Updates to Medicaid

The state department must establish an annual process to review and update the general billing manual to include all necessary CPT codes or links to CPT codes. Managed care entities must submit annual payment and medical loss ratio information to the state department. The state department must not impose signature requirements beyond federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements for rehabilitation therapy plans of care.

SB 25-289: Creation of a Drug Donation Program

Donors and donation recipients must comply with requirements for donating unused medicine through the Colorado Drug Donation Program. Donation recipients must verify donors, maintain records of donated medicine, ensure medicine is unopened or repackaged, and dispense only to eligible patients. Medicine cannot be resold for profit.

SB 25-130: Providing Emergency Medical Services

A facility must provide emergency medical services to a person who requests them or when a prudent layperson would believe the person needs them. Facilities must maintain a central log of patient outcomes, not delay services for financial inquiries, and not transfer or discharge unstabilized patients without proper certification and informed consent.

SB 25-270: Enterprise Nursing Facility Provider Fees

The Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Enterprise must charge and collect nursing facility provider fees beginning May 1, 2025, and intermediate care facility fees beginning May 1, 2025. The enterprise must obtain federal matching funds and return both fees and federal matching money to providers to sustain or increase reimbursement rates and make supplemental Medicaid payments.

Took effect 1 May 2025

SB 478: An act concerning consumer safeguards for long-term care policies.

Issuers of long-term care insurance policies must maintain a loss ratio of at least sixty percent for individual policies and sixty-five percent for group policies. Issuers must not approve rate increases exceeding the average rate increase at precertification. Rate increases of twenty percent or more must be spread over at least three years. Issuers must provide policyholders thirty days to reduce benefits or elect affordable options.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 196: An act concerning hospital sale-leaseback transactions and attestations concerning lack of a controlling interest of a hospital or of interference with the professional judgment and clinical decisions of certain health care providers of a hospital by a private equity entity.

Hospitals must not enter into sale-leaseback transactions with real estate investment trusts involving the main campus after October 1, 2026, except hospitals in financial distress may do so with ten days' prior notice to the commissioner and Attorney General. All hospitals must submit annual attestations to the commissioner by October 1, 2026, and thereafter that no private equity entity controls the hospital or interferes with clinicians' professional judgment and clinical decisions.

HB 6913: An act prohibiting long-term care facilities from discriminating against long-term care facility residents.

Long-term care facilities and their staff must not discriminate against residents based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, intellectual disability, mental disability, learning disability, physical disability, veteran status, domestic violence victim status, or HIV status, except where incompatible with professionally reasonable clinical judgment. Facilities must post a nondiscrimination notice, ensure staff receive cultural competency training every two years, and protect resident privacy during examinations and personal care.

Took effect 1 October 2025

SB 281: An act to amend title 31 and title 29 of the delaware code relating to technical updates for the delaware hospital for the chronically ill.

The Department of Health and Social Services shall establish policies and procedures for admission to the Eleanor Cain Center requiring applicants to have skilled nursing facility level of care, choose long-term care after being informed of community options, and be refused admission from all private long-term care facilities in Delaware.

HB 305: An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to the delaware diabetes wellness pilot program within the department of health and social services to study diabetic well care.

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services must establish and administer the Delaware Diabetic Wellness Pilot Program, working with the Delaware healthcare system and physicians in partnership with selected technology companies. The Secretary must develop a request for proposals, enlist 400 to 500 volunteer Type 2 diabetic patients, and ensure physician-led healthcare teams establish individualized management plans for each participant.

HJR 13: Directing the department of labor to study the creation of a delaware healthcare apprenticeship degree program and to report findings and recommendations to the governor and the general assembly.

SB 13: An act to amend title 6 and title 16 of the delaware code relating to hospital charity care and financial assistance.

SB 313: An act to amend titles 16 and 29 of the delaware code relating to the protection of nonprofit acute care hospitals.

A person other than a charity or not-for-profit entity may not enter into a change of control transaction or not-for-profit healthcare conversion transaction involving a nonprofit acute care hospital. A not-for-profit healthcare entity must provide written notice to the Attorney General at least 180 days prior to closing any conversion transaction.

SB 226: An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to medical marijuana.

A patient or the patient's caregiver must notify the patient's attending physician of the patient's use of medical marijuana. The act limits the scope of medical marijuana facilities to general hospitals licensed pursuant to paragraph 1001(b)(1) of Delaware Code Title 16.

SB 213: An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to hospital budget review.

Hospitals must annually submit to the Board detailed financial information including operating budgets, spending and revenue data, costs of operations, revenues, assets, liabilities, rates and charges, labor costs by budget category, scope and volume of services, utilization information, contract information with payers, and a narrative regarding year-over-year changes and actions to adhere to the healthcare spending benchmark. Beginning in 2027, hospitals exceeding the spending benchmark must submit a benchmark compliance plan for Board approval unless participating in a Meaningful Cost Containment Arrangement.

HB 156: An act to amend title 16 of the delaware code relating to the healthcare associated infections disclosure act.

Hospitals must collect and report quarterly data on healthcare-associated infection rates to the Department using CDC National Healthcare Safety Network definitions, with reports available to the public 45 days after submission. Physicians diagnosing healthcare-associated infections must report them to the facility where the procedure occurred. All hospitals must join the National Healthcare Safety Network by December 31, 2007, or within 180 days of enrollment opening.

SB 155: An act to amend title 29 of the delaware code relating to the delaware nursing home residents quality assurance commission.

Renames the Delaware Nursing Home Residents Quality Assurance Commission to the Delaware Residents' Protection Commission and expands its membership from 4 to 6 ex-officio members, clarifies its duties regarding monitored facilities, authorizes grant funding and subcommittees, and allows virtual meetings with public anchor locations.

HB 4007: Martin County

The Martin County Board of County Commissioners must create by ordinance a process for distributing County Health Care Fund money to all licensed hospitals in Martin County. Funds shall pay for hospitalization, administrative costs, and doctors' services for indigent residents meeting specified criteria: six months county residency, family income not exceeding 150 percent of federal poverty guidelines, ineligibility for Medicaid or third-party payors, and liquid assets not exceeding 8,000 dollars.

HB 1121: Aging and Disability Services

Area agencies on aging must comply with competitive solicitation requirements for procurements exceeding $35,000. Chief executive officers and executive directors cannot receive salaries exceeding 150 percent of the Secretary of Elderly Affairs' annual salary. The Department of Elderly Affairs must maintain a statewide pre-enrollment wait list and adopt screening tools generating priority scores.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 68: Health Facilities

Health facilities authorities may issue secured or unsecured loans to health facilities for project costs and to refund or refinance outstanding obligations. Projects financed by loan agreements must be governed by loan agreements between the authority and the health facility. Hospitals may perform confirmation tests for positive fentanyl results.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1353: Home Health Care Services

An administrator of a home health agency may manage only one agency, except up to five if all have identical controlling interests and are in one geographic service area or contiguous county. Home health agencies must provide initial admission, service evaluation, and discharge visits by direct employees or contract individuals, and must monitor and manage all contract staff care.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 1808: Refund of Overpayments Made by Patients

Health care facility licensees and health care practitioners who tender charges for reimbursement must refund any patient overpayment within 30 days after determining the overpayment was made. The term includes filing claims with government-sponsored programs or private health insurers or health maintenance organizations.

Took effect 1 January 2026

HB 1804: Relating to long-term care financing.

Requires the executive office on aging to develop a framework and scope of work for studying feasible public and private financing options for long-term care services, and authorizes contracting with the University of Hawaii to conduct this study, with a report due to the legislature by twenty days before the 2027 regular session.

SB 2271: Relating to hospital licensing.

The department of health shall adopt rules allowing hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all state licensing inspections through accreditation or certification by any organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Hospitals meeting specified conditions may be exempt from licensing inspections on a continuing basis, though the department may still conduct inspections regarding complaints, adverse findings, or periodic validation surveys.

SB 3025: Relating to medical debt.

The office of wellness and resilience must develop, implement, and administer a medical debt acquisition and forgiveness program to acquire and forgive outstanding medical debt for individuals with household income at or below four hundred percent of the federal poverty level, or with adjusted gross income under $100,000 and medical debt of at least five percent of household income. The office must contract with an entity holding medical debt and submit annual reports to the legislature.

HB 2319: Relating to the state health planning and development agency.

The state agency must promote universal access to high-quality, equitable, and affordable health care for all people of the State. The state agency must conduct health planning activities in collaboration with state agencies and private health care sector participants to assess and address gaps affecting access, quality, and cost, including artificial intelligence. The state agency must establish and update a state health services and facilities plan at least every four years.

HB 302: Relating to cannabis.

Physicians and advanced practice registered nurses may establish bona fide relationships via telehealth without initial in-person consultation to certify patients for medical cannabis. Persons must not operate dispensaries without a license or operate search platforms, web hosting services, or social media platforms advertising unlicensed cannabis sales. Certifying providers' fees shall not exceed three times the department of health's registration certificate fee.

SB 1322: Relating to mental health.

Qualified psychiatric examiners must conduct emergency examinations and determine whether criteria for involuntary hospitalization exist. Law enforcement officers must contact mental health emergency workers before detaining individuals for emergency examination. Psychiatric facilities must discharge involuntary patients within seventy-two hours unless voluntary agreement or court-ordered proceedings occur.

HB 1179: Relating to rural emergency hospitals.

The department of health may license a hospital as a rural emergency hospital if it elects the medicare designation, provides emergency treatment with average length of stay of twenty-four hours or less, meets federal requirements under title 42 United States Code section 1395x(kkk)(2), and passes inspection. Medicaid payments to rural emergency hospitals shall be calculated on a cost basis using medicare reasonable cost principles.

HB 712: Relating to health.

Manufacturers must not deny, restrict, or prohibit the acquisition, shipping, or delivery of 340B drugs to pharmacies under contract with 340B covered entities, except where prohibited by the US Department of Health and Human Services. Beginning July 1, 2026, each 340B covered entity must annually report specified financial and operational data to the department of health.

HB 799: Relating to health care.

Exempts physicians practicing at organized ambulatory health care facilities in counties with populations under 500,000 from the requirement to obtain hospital privileges at a licensed hospital in the same geographical location.

HB 341: Relating to the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist hawaii island community health center.

Authorizes the department of budget and finance to issue special purpose revenue bonds to assist Hawaii Island Community Health Center in financing primary care health care facilities on Hawaii Island, including facilities in Kailua-Kona, Hilo, Pahoa, and Naalehu. Authorization lapses June 30, 2030.

SB 1441: Relating to the transition of the oahu regional health care system from the hawaii health systems corporation into the department of health.

The Oahu regional health care system and the department of health must enter into a formal memorandum of agreement no later than November 30, 2025, regarding care of patients transferred from the Hawaii state hospital to Oahu regional health care system facilities, with patient care starting no later than December 31, 2025.

S 1453: APPROPRIATIONS – HEALTH AND WELFARE – RURAL HEALTH – Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Health and Welfare for rural health care for fiscal year 2027.

Creates the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Fund and Committee to manage federal rural health transformation grant moneys. Appropriates $3,737,600 for fiscal year 2026 and $295,405,200 for fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Health and Welfare's Division of Indirect Support Services, and authorizes 12 additional FTE positions for each year.

S 1102: IDAHO RESIDENTIAL CARE OR ASSISTED LIVING ACT – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding the Idaho Residential Care or Assisted Living Act.

Operators of residential care or assisted living facilities must employ a licensed administrator responsible for day-to-day operations, develop and implement policies protecting resident rights, conduct assessments and negotiated service agreements, maintain resident records, respond to incidents and complaints, notify authorities of abuse or neglect, and ensure adequate trained staff meets resident needs.

Took effect 1 July 2025

H 28: DIVISION OF OCCUPATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSES – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to provide for the Idaho Board of Long-Term Care Facility Administrators.

Nursing homes and residential care facilities must operate under supervision of a current licensed administrator, administrator designee, or provisional permit holder. No person may practice long-term care administration or use related titles without proper licensure, provisional permit, or designee status. Licensed administrators must renew biennially and complete continuing education.

Took effect 1 July 2025

S 1015: HOSPITALS – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise and establish provisions regarding the licensure and inspection of hospitals.

HB 4757: Health care facility planning

Persons establishing, constructing, modifying, or acquiring major medical equipment for health care facilities must obtain a permit or exemption from the Health Facilities and Services Review Board before proceeding. The Board must approve permits only if applicants demonstrate fitness, economic feasibility, consistency with public interest, and accord with Board-adopted standards and plans of need.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

HB 1287: Health facilities-aed required

Administrators of assisted living establishments, nursing facilities, MC/DD facilities, ID/DD facilities, and supportive living facilities must ensure each facility has an automated external defibrillator and policies and procedures for its use. Each facility must employ or contract with a physician as medical director to oversee equipment maintenance, staff certification, performance review, and policy development.

Took effect 1 January 2026

SB 225: Health matters.

Hospitals must comply with specified statutes (IC 16-21-6, IC 16-21-9, IC 16-21-17.1, IC 16-21-19) to pursue medical debt collection. Hospitals must provide written notice at least sixty days before closing or eliminating a service line for longer than ninety days, including patient continuity of care plans.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 1271: Payment of health claims.

Hospitals must provide written notice of payment assistance programs during registration, at discharge, and with initial billing statements; post conspicuous signage in registration areas, financial counseling offices, and emergency departments; make program information available through patient portals; and before beginning collection action, determine eligibility and notify individuals of available programs. Insurers and health maintenance organizations may not use downcoding to prevent providers from submitting claims for actual services performed or retroactively reduce CPT code reimbursement rates.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 1358: Indiana department of health.

The state department shall maintain a trauma registry and collect trauma care data. Hospitals, trauma centers, rehabilitation hospitals, and emergency medical services providers must submit trauma data to the registry according to specified timelines and formats. A person who generates infectious waste must ensure appropriate containment, labeling, effective treatment, transport, and disposal.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 1: Human services matters.

The division of family resources must terminate Indiana's participation in expanded categorical eligibility within SNAP, verify immigration status for SNAP applicants using SAVE, and report to USDA individuals whose immigration status cannot be verified. The office of the secretary must verify Medicaid applicants' citizenship and immigration status, conduct eligibility redeterminations at least semiannually for HIP participants, and verify work requirements on an ongoing and at least quarterly basis.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 1004: Health care matters.

Hospitals must remit hospital facility fee excise taxes to the department of state revenue before the tenth day of each month. Nonprofit hospitals must report aggregate billing data and Medicare reimbursement comparisons to the state department and department of insurance before November 1 of each fiscal year. Nonprofit hospitals must provide Schedule H portions of federal Form 990 to the health care cost oversight task force and make them available for publication before August 1 of each year.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1555: Licensure of foreign trained physicians.

The medical licensing board of Indiana must issue limited licenses to foreign-trained physicians who meet specified criteria including holding a medical doctorate from an international medical program, possessing a certificate from the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates, completing residency training, practicing medicine full-time for five of the preceding six years, passing USMLE step three, and obtaining employment sponsorship at a health care facility in an underserved area. Limited licensees may practice only at sponsored underserved area facilities.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1666: Ownership of health care providers.

Hospitals must file annual financial reports within 120 days of fiscal year end, including ownership information for persons or entities with at least 5% ownership interest, controlling interest, or private equity partnership interest. Health care entities, insurers, third party administrators, and pharmacy benefit managers must report similar ownership information to the secretary of state or department of insurance.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 505: Emergency transport to appropriate facility.

An employing entity or individual emergency medical responder, emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, or paramedic must enter into a written agreement with a facility detailing transport procedures, operating hours, criteria for appropriateness, and procedures for directing transport elsewhere or handling declined care before transporting individuals to health care facilities, mental health facilities, or urgent care facilities.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1457: Indiana department of health.

The state department must establish fee schedules for state health laboratory services based on Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement rates for clinical tests and actual costs for nonclinical tests. The state department must approve auto-injectable epinephrine courses meeting its criteria and publish criteria on its website. Health care facilities must not employ nurse aides convicted of specified crimes within defined timeframes.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1474: FSSA matters.

The office of the secretary must administer home and community based services waivers, establish eligibility and certification criteria, serve as placement authority, and ensure waivers do not exceed available funding. Providers of assisted living services must follow federal waiver requirements. Personal services attendants must register with the office and individuals must employ them under approved contracts.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 473: Various health care matters.

Managed care organizations must submit home modification requests to certified project specification writers within 15 days, approve or deny with explanation within 15 days, request bids within 5 days of approval, and notify winning and unsuccessful bidders within 30 days. Opioid treatment programs must conduct monthly random drug tests for patients testing positive until passing. Programs may close Sundays and federal holidays. Medical directors need not obtain hospital admitting privileges.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1051: Mobile integration healthcare grants.

Amends Indiana Code to allow the commission to award mobile integration healthcare grants to emergency medical services provider agencies operated by a city, town, township, or county to develop and implement approved mobile integrated healthcare programs.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HF 2633: A bill for an act relating to living organ donors and life insurance, disability insurance, and long-term care insurance.

HF 2635: A bill for an act relating to health carriers standards of conduct; utilization review organizations, artificial intelligence, audits, and prior authorizations; certificate of need processes; and including applicability provisions.

HF 2305: A bill for an act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders, durable power of attorney for health care, and probate court guardianship reports.

HF 2543: A bill for an act relating to subacute mental health care facilities and services, and including effective date provisions.

SF 572: A bill for an act prohibiting the licensure of certain entities of the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to establish, conduct, or maintain a hospital or health care facility.

A person or governmental unit shall not establish, conduct, or maintain a hospital, rural emergency hospital, or health care facility in Iowa without a license. A license shall not be issued or renewed for an instrumentality of the government of the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, or for individuals who are citizens of those countries, or for business entities in which a majority interest is owned directly or indirectly by such instrumentalities or citizens.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HF 1049: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; sex reassignment surgeries or associated procedures; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care, administration and compliance; transfers, cash flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

The department of health and human services must not use moneys appropriated from the general fund for the medical assistance program to reimburse sex reassignment surgery, associated procedures, hormone therapy, or other medical interventions intended to alter primary or secondary sex characteristics related to gender dysphoria diagnosis. The department must adopt rules to administer this prohibition.

HF 972: A bill for an act relating to health care including a funding model for the rural health care system; the elimination of several health care-related award, grant, residency, and fellowship programs; establishment of a health care professional incentive program; Medicaid graduate medical education; the health facilities council; and the Iowa health information network, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

The college student aid commission, in coordination with the department of health and human services, shall administer a health care professional incentive program offering loan repayments or income bonuses to eligible health care professionals in shortage areas. The commission must determine available awards annually and establish profession lists and aggregate award amounts not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars every five years.

HF 806: A bill for an act relating to peer review committees and organ procurement organizations.

HF 309: A bill for an act relating to the review by the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing of certain deficient practices by nursing facilities.

The department of inspections, appeals, and licensing shall establish and maintain a process to review each deficient practice identified by the department for which a citation may be issued to a nursing facility for immediate jeopardy or substandard quality of care prior to issuance of final findings. Representatives of the nursing facility may participate in the review to provide context and evidence.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 2250: Substitute for HB 2250 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Permitting the use of expedited partner therapy to treat sexually transmitted infections, authorizing a licensed private psychiatric hospital to maintain a stock supply of emergency medication kits for pharmaceutical emergencies, allowing expired emergency opioid antagonists to be used to treat an opioid overdose, permitting first responders to distribute and administer expired emergency opioid antagonists, permitting a pharmacist to distribute epinephrine delivery systems to a school for use in emergency medication kits and amending definitions related to medication in schools to allow for use of epinephrine delivery systems.

HB 689: AN ACT relating to the establishment of a Medicaid state-directed payment program.

The Department for Medicaid Services must submit a Medicaid preprint with January 1, 2026 effective date to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within sixty days of the Act's effective date. Qualifying hospitals must report applicable quality measures. Medicaid managed care organizations must make enhanced add-on payments to qualifying hospitals based on commercial or Medicare rates.

HB 90: AN ACT relating to maternal health and declaring an emergency.

The cabinet must establish licensure standards for freestanding birthing centers requiring accreditation by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers, medical malpractice insurance, location within thirty miles of a hospital, and a licensed physician medical director. Freestanding birthing centers must obtain written informed consent, maintain patient transfer agreements with hospitals and emergency medical services, and prohibit abortion services.

HB 219: AN ACT relating to sexual assault emergency response training.

Hospitals offering emergency services must provide mandatory training for all emergency medical services staff on sexual assault emergency response requirements, protocols, and resources. Training curriculum must be developed with the Sexual Assault Response Team Advisory Committee and cover specified statutes, medical protocols, forensic evidence collection, and rape crisis center services.

SB 124: HEALTH CARE: Provides relative to peer review of health systems. (8/1/26)

HB 314: HEALTH CARE/FACILITIES: Modifies the regulatory authority of the Louisiana Department of Health in relation to hospital classifications

Took effect 1 January 2026

LD 2200: An Act To Prohibit Noncompete Clauses For Health Care Professionals As Recommended By The Commission To Evaluate The Scope Of Regulatory Review And Oversight Over Health Care Transactions That Impact The Delivery Of Health Care Services In The State

An employer must not require or permit a health care practitioner to enter into a noncompete agreement if the health care practitioner is employed by an entity in which that health care practitioner does not have an ownership interest.

LD 2103: An Act Requiring Hospitals To Adopt Cybersecurity Plans

Hospitals licensed under Maine law must adopt and submit a cybersecurity plan to the department and update it at least once per year. The plan must include provisions for timely notification of cybersecurity intrusions, backup communication, triage, service diversion, patient complaint processes, and cybersecurity training for employees and board members. Hospitals must annually test the plan.

LD 2201: An Act To Implement Certain Recommendations Related To The Regulatory Review And Approval Of Certain Health Care Transactions Involving Private Equity Companies, Hedge Funds Or Management Services Organizations From The Commission To Evaluate The Scope Of Regulatory Review And Oversight Over Health Care Transactions That Impact The Delivery Of Health Care Services In The State

A health care entity must file written notice with the department at least 180 days before completing a material change transaction involving acquisition of majority interest or operational control by a private equity company, hedge fund, or management services organization. The notice must include transaction details, goals, affected parties, service areas, and current and proposed services.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

LD 2202: An Act To Require Notice To The Attorney General Prior To The Merger Of Certain Health Care Entities As Recommended By The Commission To Evaluate The Scope Of Regulatory Review And Oversight Over Health Care Transactions That Impact The Delivery Of Health Care Services In The State

A health care entity filing a premerger notification must concurrently file a complete electronic copy of the Hart-Scott-Rodino form and additional documentary material with the Attorney General if the entity has its principal place of business in Maine or had annual revenue in Maine in the preceding calendar year of at least 20% of the filing threshold.

LD 2189: An Act To Require Prior Notification Of Closures Of Labor And Delivery Units And Changes In Maternity Or Newborn Care Services By Hospitals As Recommended By The Commission To Evaluate The Scope Of Regulatory Review And Oversight Over Health Care Transactions That Impact The Delivery Of Health Care Services In The State

A hospital must file notice with the department at least 120 days prior to terminating maternity or newborn care services or changing the level of such care. The notice must include the effective date and reason, contact information, emergency care plans or level change details, notifications to surrounding hospitals and emergency services, and public notification methods.

LD 1583: An Act Regarding Home Health Care And Hospice Services Ordered By A Health Care Provider Outside Of Maine

A home health care provider licensed in Maine and certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services may provide home health care services for up to 90 days based on an order from a physician licensed in another state if the physician holds a valid license, performed an in-person examination in their state, and complies with department rules and federal regulations. The out-of-state physician must provide only telehealth services and order services only while the patient receives home health care.

LD 1906: An Act To Improve Accountability And Understanding Of Data In Insurance Transactions

Administrators and pharmacy benefits managers must provide plan sponsors with claims data within 20 business days of request, including high-cost claims data before payment and post-payment audit data at least once yearly. Plan sponsors own claims data. Administrators and pharmacy benefits managers cannot impose audit fees exceeding direct expenses or restrict audit scope. These requirements apply to contracts entered into, issued, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

LD 1937: An Act To Require Hospitals And Hospital-Affiliated Providers To Provide Financial Assistance Programs For Medical Care

Hospitals and hospital-affiliated providers must establish financial assistance programs and determine patient eligibility within 45 days of a completed application. They must provide information about accessing plain language summaries and applications in conspicuous locations. Patients with family income not exceeding 400% of federal poverty level must be offered payment plans with monthly payments not exceeding 4% of monthly family income. Online application filing must be available by July 1, 2028.

Took effect 1 July 2026

LD 985: An Act To Impose A Moratorium On The Ownership Or Operation Of Hospitals In The State By Private Equity Companies Or Real Estate Investment Trusts

Private equity companies and real estate investment trusts may not acquire or increase direct or indirect ownership interest, operational control, or financial control in hospitals in the State. This moratorium applies from the act's effective date through June 15, 2026.

LD 1243: An Act Regarding The Licensing Of Assisted Living Facilities

The department may issue more than one license at the same license level to an applicant for an assisted living facility license or residential care facility license if the applicant held more than one license at that level on October 1, 2023, or had begun construction prior to October 1, 2023, provided there were no substantiated violations of the prior license.

LD 63: An Act To Support Implementation Of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Projects

Appropriates $2,000,000 in general fund and $5,836,454 to $19,275,103 in federal funds for fiscal years 2024-2027 to reimburse state-licensed mental health organizations participating in the federal Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Medicaid Demonstration program.

HB 1087: Health Care Facilities - Surgical Smoke - Smoke Evacuation Systems

Each health care facility that performs surgical procedures must adopt and implement policies requiring the use of a smoke evacuation system during any surgical procedure that may generate surgical smoke. This requirement takes effect by January 1, 2028.

Took effect 1 October 2026

HB 671: Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman - Mandatory Appropriation

The Governor must include in the annual budget bill at least 3% of funds collected by the Department under the Medicaid quality assessment on nursing facilities to fund the operations of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman in the Department of Aging, beginning in fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter. These appropriated funds must be in addition to and may not supplant other funding for the Office.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 945: Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities - Notification of Investigations and Establishment of the Health Care Quality Improvement Initiative

The Maryland Department of Health must notify the local health department within 24 hours after initiating an investigation of a nursing home complaint alleging actual harm, and must consult and coordinate with the local health officer on the complaint investigation and response to the extent practicable within applicable time requirements.

Took effect 1 October 2026

HB 1376: Maryland Medical Assistance Program, Maryland Children's Health Program, and Health Insurance - Transfers to Special Pediatric Hospitals - Requirements

The Maryland Medical Assistance Program, Maryland Children's Health Program, managed care organizations, insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations must provide prior authorization determinations for transfers to special pediatric hospitals within 3 business days upon request by a special pediatric hospital or referring health care provider, and must reimburse for all administrative days at the applicable rate from the medical necessity determination date until retrospective review conclusion.

Takes effect 1 January 2027

HB 1559: Children in Unlicensed Settings and Pediatric Hospital Overstay Patients - Placement

The Social Services Administration must prohibit placement of children in unlicensed settings under its out-of-home placement program. Pediatric hospital overstay coordinators must report instances of pediatric overstay patients to the Placement Manager and coordinate with hospitals and agencies. The Rapid Response Placement Team must convene within 48 hours of notification of a pediatric overstay patient to develop placement plans.

Took effect 1 June 2026

SB 778: Clinical Research Pharmacies and Clinical Trials - Permits and Ownership

A person must hold a clinical research pharmacy permit issued by the State Board of Pharmacy before establishing or operating a clinical research pharmacy. A licensed pharmacist must be present on-site during all hours of operation and be responsible for all compounding, dispensing, and oversight. Health care providers with substantial ownership interests cannot serve as clinical investigators or direct patients to specific pharmacists.

Took effect 1 October 2026

SB 792: Hospitals - Immigration Enforcement Action - Policy Requirement

Hospitals shall adopt a policy describing their protocol when an immigration enforcement action occurs at the hospital by January 1, 2027 or 3 months after the Commission publishes a model policy, whichever is earlier. Hospitals shall make the policy available to all staff members and provide annual training to staff on the policy.

Took effect 1 June 2026

HB 498: Certificate of Need - Intermediate Health Care Facilities

Operators of intermediate care facilities offering medically managed residential substance use disorder treatment services must file written notice with the Commission at least 45 days before establishing or operating such a facility. A certificate of need is not required if the Commission finds the facility is consistent with the state health plan, will deliver efficient and effective health care services, and is in the public interest.

Took effect 1 October 2026

HB 747: Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities – Membership

Alters the membership of the Oversight Committee on Quality of Care in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities by reducing House Health Committee representation from two to one member and adding one representative from LeadingAge Maryland.

Took effect 1 October 2026

SB 293: Professional Liability Insurance Coverage - Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities, Nurse Midwives, and Licensed Certified Midwives - Disclosure (Nyeli Rose Lewis Act of 2026)

Nursing homes, assisted living programs, nurse midwives, and licensed certified midwives must notify residents, prospective residents, or patients in writing or by written electronic communication if they do not maintain professional liability insurance coverage or if such coverage has lapsed and not been renewed. Notifications must be signed and retained in records. Facilities and practitioners without coverage must post conspicuous notice.

Took effect 1 October 2026

HB 1104: Maryland Department of Health - AHEAD Model Implementation - Electronic Health Care Transactions and Population Health Improvement Fund

The Health Services Cost Review Commission may assess a uniform, broad-based, and reasonable amount in hospital rates each year during the Total Cost of Care Model, AHEAD Model, or any successor model, with funds credited to the Population Health Improvement Fund. The Department and Health Services Cost Review Commission jointly administer the Fund for population health improvements supporting statewide population health targets.

Took effect 1 July 2025

HB 1251: Hospitals and Medical Professional Liability Insurers - Obstetric Services Policies (Doula and Birth Policy Transparency Act)

Health care facilities providing obstetric care must adopt and provide evidence to the Maryland Department of Health of a policy allowing certified doulas at birth, prioritizing newborn bonding, prohibiting significant medical interventions without informed consent, detailing processes for receiving medical information from health care providers, and establishing transfer processes for pregnant persons. Insurers issuing medical professional liability insurance in the State must provide the Department information regarding their obstetric services coverage policies upon request.

Took effect 1 October 2025

HB 1301: Maryland Medical Assistance Program, Maryland Children’s Health Program, and Health Insurance – Transfers to Special Pediatric Hospitals – Prior Authorizations

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Maryland Medical Assistance Program, the Maryland Children's Health Program, insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations may not require prior authorization for transfers to special pediatric hospitals. A special pediatric hospital is a state facility providing nonacute medical, rehabilitation, therapy, and palliative services to individuals under 22 years old or those 2 to 23 years old with co-occurring physical and behavioral health conditions.

Took effect 1 January 2026

HB 1380: Health Care Facilities - Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers - Perinatal Care Standards

The Maryland Department of Health must adopt regulations establishing minimum perinatal care standards that meet or exceed the Maryland Perinatal System Standards for hospitals and freestanding birthing centers providing obstetrical services. Each hospital and freestanding birthing center must comply with these standards as a condition of licensure.

Took effect 1 October 2025

HB 43: Federally Qualified Health Centers Grant Program - Acquisition of Land

Authorizes the Board of Public Works, on recommendation of the Secretary of Health, to make grants to counties, municipal corporations, and nonprofit organizations for the acquisition of land for the construction or use of federally qualified health centers.

Took effect 1 October 2025

HB 765: Hospitals - Medical Debt Collection - Sale of Patient Debt

Hospitals may sell patient medical debt only to governmental units, their contractors, or nonprofit organizations for the sole purpose of canceling the debt. Hospitals must dismiss pending collection actions on sold debt and prohibit further collection activities on it. Debt purchasers must notify patients that debt is canceled and seek to vacate judgments or strike adverse credit reporting.

SB 376: Maryland Department of Health and Office of Health Care Quality - Nursing Home Inspections - Reporting

The Secretary of Health must delegate to a county the authority to conduct site visits and full surveys of nursing homes upon the county's request. The Department and the requesting county shall equally share the costs of conducting delegated site visits and full surveys.

Took effect 1 October 2025

SB 676: Health Care Facilities - Hospitals and Freestanding Birthing Centers - Perinatal Care Standards

The Maryland Department of Health, in coordination with the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, must adopt regulations establishing minimum perinatal care standards that meet or exceed the Maryland Perinatal System Standards. Each hospital providing obstetrical services and each freestanding birthing center must comply with these standards as a condition of licensure.

Took effect 1 October 2025

SB 740: Health Care Facilities - Service Member Community Members (SFC Matthew Fast Act )

Each health care facility may screen patients for warrior service member community member status and include this information in medical records. Each health care facility may identify warrior service member community members as a vulnerable population and comply with Joint Commission standards for improving health care equity. The Department shall report annually to the Governor and General Assembly beginning December 1, 2026 on warrior community member needs and health care facility compliance.

Took effect 1 October 2025

SB 981: Hospitals - Financial Assistance and Collection of Debts - Policies

Acute care and chronic care hospitals must develop financial assistance policies providing free medically necessary care to patients with family income at or below 200% of federal poverty level and reduced-cost care to those above 200% with specified percentage reductions based on income brackets up to 500% of poverty level. Hospitals must prohibit civil debt collection actions for 240 days after initial billing, prohibit actions against patients with outstanding debt at or below $500, and provide income-based payment plans with monthly payments not exceeding 5% of household income.

Took effect 1 October 2025

HB 4726: Health facilities: county medical care facilities; maintenance of effort reimbursement; extend sunset. Amends sec. 109 of 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.109).

Counties must reimburse a county maintenance of effort rate determined annually for each patient day of Medicaid nursing home services provided to eligible individuals in long-term care facilities owned by the county and licensed to provide nursing home services. The rate is calculated according to specified formulas based on per patient day updated variable costs and variable cost limits.

SB 2392: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grant program; Dept. of Mental Health and Division of Medicaid apply for.

The Department of Mental Health and the Division of Medicaid must submit an application to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to join the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Demonstration Grant at the next available application period. The Department of Mental Health shall certify and monitor CCBHC compliance. The Division of Medicaid shall establish a prospective payment system to fund the CCBHC program.

Took effect 1 July 2025

SB 1019: Modifies several provisions relating to health care

The board of trustees of hospitals organized under sections 96.150 to 96.229 or sections 206.010 to 206.160 may invest up to fifty percent of funds not required for immediate disbursement in mutual funds, bonds with specified ratings and ten-year maturity, money-market investments, or combinations thereof. The remaining funds must be invested as the state treasurer is allowed to invest.

SB 560: Provide for a hospital community benefit fee

Each nonprofit hospital must report charity care and community benefit spending to the department of public health and human services using IRS Form 990 Schedule H data. Nonprofit hospitals must provide annual community benefits exceeding their prior year potential property tax liability or face an assessed fee equal to the difference.

SB 524: Revise laws relating to category D assisted living facilities

Category D assisted living facilities must not exceed 15 residents and must receive prior approval before using seclusion and restraints. The Department of Public Health and Human Services must provide technical assistance to category D facilities and develop a specialized reimbursement model by April 1, 2026. Courts may order diversion from Montana state hospital to category D facilities for eligible persons.

SB 516: Update licensing requirements for facilities licensed by the department of public health and human services

Operators of community homes for persons with developmental disabilities must obtain a license from the department of public health and human services and comply with departmental standards for administration, operation, health, and safety. The department must inspect and license these facilities annually.

HB 474: Revise date for annual supplemental medicaid payment to hospitals

The department of public health and human services must provide funding no later than May 15 of each year from the hospital medicaid reimbursement account for increases in medicaid payments to hospitals and for costs of collection and administrative activities associated with implementing those increases.

HB 403: Generally revise laws related to state hospital

The Montana State Hospital must grant legislators immediate, unlimited access at all times to the facility. Legislators seeking access remain subject to routine security and safety procedures. While present, legislators must prioritize and respect the health, dignity, privacy, and welfare of patients.

LB 867: Change provisions relating to special needs trusts, fingerprints under the Uniform Credentialing Act, child care grants, the Title IV-D Division Customer Service Unit, eligibility for young adults in the bridge to independence program, licensed and self-funded insurers under the Medical Assistance Act, medicaid nursing facility rates, assistance to aged, blind, or disabled persons, and the state Commodity Supplemental Food program; provide for a money follows the person program for medicaid benefits, a youth afterschool eligibility letter for child care employment, use of wholesale drug distributor license fees for the prescription drug monitoring program, and maintenance of epinephrine by certain schools; change provisions of and rename the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Support Act , the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council, the State Advisory Committee on Mental Health, the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Director of Developmental Disabilities; and eliminate provisions relating to divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care Advisory Committee on Aging, the Maternal and Child Health and Public Health Work Fund, and an obsolete Nurse Licensure Compact

Each state agency providing governmental benefits to individuals with disabilities through means-tested programs must adopt rules and regulations regarding special needs trusts that are not more restrictive than federal law, allow pooled trust accounts without financial limits, permit funding without age limits or transfer penalties except for individuals sixty-five or older, and allow assignment of legally assignable income or resources without limit.

LB 312: Include nurse anesthesia practice and dietitian nutrition practice under the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act

The act expands the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act to include nurse anesthetists and dietitian nutritionists as eligible recipients for student loans and loan repayments. Nurse anesthetists and dietitian nutritionists must be licensed to practice in Nebraska and enter practice in designated health profession shortage areas to receive loan repayment assistance.

LB 380: Change provisions regarding program integrity, ground emergency medical transport, and mental health and substance use disorder services under the Medical Assistance Act and provide duties for the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care

The Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care must require contractor compliance with federal and state laws on mental health and substance use disorder services, make public contractor surveys and parity reports, ensure access parity between mental health and medical services, establish monthly electronic communication with providers about contract changes, define network adequacy, and annually post network adequacy criteria and compliance assessments.

HB 360: prohibiting public schools from performing surgical procedures or prescribing pharmaceutical drugs, relative to licensing requirements for health care facilities established within a 15 mile radius of a critical access hospital, and relative to the administration of prescription medication to minors by youth camp staff.

Any person or entity proposing to establish an ambulatory surgical center, emergency medical care center, hospital, birthing center, drop-in or walk-in care center, dialysis center, or special health care service within 15 miles of a critical access hospital shall give written notice by certified mail to the chief executive of the critical access hospital. Youth camps licensed under RSA 170-E may administer pharmaceutical drugs to minors pursuant to a valid prescription with written authorization of a parent or legal guardian.

HB 712: limiting breast surgeries for minors, relative to residential care and health facility licensing, and relative to the collection and reporting of abortion statistics by health care providers and medical facilities.

S 4927: Amends FY2026 annual appropriations act to increase Supplemental Graduate Medical Education Subsidy by $496,000 for support to additional acute care hospital.

Increases the Supplemental Graduate Medical Education Subsidy from $34,000,000 to $34,496,000 in the FY2026 appropriations act and expands eligibility from the top 14 acute care hospitals with residency programs to the top 15, with the 15th hospital receiving $496,000.

HB 306: Prohibit certain health care facility fees

Beginning January 1, 2027, health care providers and health systems shall not charge facility fees directly from patients for preventive health care services, vaccination services, or telehealth services provided in outpatient settings. Exceptions apply to critical access hospitals, sole community hospitals in rural areas, and affiliated community clinics. Providers must notify patients of facility fees at appointment scheduling and service delivery, post visible signage, provide itemized bills, and report facility fee data to the all-payer claims database.

A 10008: Enacts into law major components of legislation necessary to implement the state transportation, economic development and environmental conservation budget for the 2026-2027 state fiscal year

Owners of motor vehicles in New York City who receive sixteen notices of liability for speeding violations in school speed zones within twelve months must install and maintain an intelligent speed assistance device for twelve to thirty-six months depending on repeat violations. Owners must provide proof of installation within thirty days and bear installation and maintenance costs unless financially unable.

Took effect 1 July 2026

A 9477: Authorizes the performance of certain dental hygiene services at voluntary foster care agency health facilities

Registered dental hygienists may perform dental hygiene services pursuant to a collaborative practice agreement with a licensed dentist in voluntary foster care agency health facilities licensed under public health law article twenty-nine-I, along with hospitals, schools, federally qualified health centers, long-term care facilities, and other specified settings.

A 9515: Relates to requirements for the provision of medication for medical aid in dying

Attending physicians must examine patients requesting medical aid-in-dying medication, determine terminal illness and decision-making capacity, obtain consulting physician and mental health professional confirmations, provide informed counseling, and ensure written requests are signed and witnessed. Patients must make oral and written requests and may self-administer medication only. Health care facilities may prohibit the practice based on religious beliefs if they inform patients and transfer willing patients elsewhere.

S 3007: Enacts into law major components of legislation necessary to implement the state health and mental hygiene budget for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year

Enacts major components of the 2025-2026 state health and mental hygiene budget through Parts A-MM, extending various healthcare payment provisions, assessment authorities, and program expiration dates, with each part containing specific effective dates.

Took effect 1 April 2025

S 753: Relates to the definition of medical debt

Amends the definition of medical debt in General Business Law to include any obligation related to health care services, products, or devices from hospitals, health care professionals, or ambulance services, excluding credit card debt unless the card is issued specifically for health care payments.

HB 1623: AN ACT to provide an appropriation to the department of health and human services for federal rural health transformation program grant funds; to provide an appropriation to the Bank of North Dakota to administer a loan program; to provide for a transfer; to amend and reenact section 6-09-47 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a rural health loan program under the medical facility infrastructure loan fund; to provide an exemption; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide for application; to provide a report; and to provide an effective date.

The department of health and human services must require grant recipients to acknowledge in grant agreements that funding is limited duration and will not continue beyond the federal rural health transformation program. The department may require grant recipients to submit process and outcome measures. The department must notify the legislative council of any transfers made under section 2.

HB 1619: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 6-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a long-term care facility infrastructure loan program; to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 6-09-47 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the medical facility infrastructure loan fund; and to provide an appropriation.

The Bank of North Dakota shall administer a loan program providing loans to nursing and basic care facilities for renovation or new construction projects. Loan recipients must complete financed projects within twenty-four months of approval or forfeit the entire loan. Loan amounts may not exceed fifty percent of project costs or ten million dollars.

SB 2070: AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 50-10.2-01, 50-10.2-02, and 50-10.2-02.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the rights of health care facility residents.

Facilities must permit residents and resident representatives to place authorized electronic recording devices in resident rooms upon written notice, provided the device is stationary, records only the resident's area, costs are paid by the resident, and all other residents in the room authorize the device in writing. Facilities must cooperate unless doing so creates undue burden.

HB 3644: Venous thromboembolism; creating the Blake Burgess Act; requiring certain hospital policies and training; establishing certain registry and reporting requirements; imposing certain requirements on assisted living centers; effective date; emergency.

Each hospital with an emergency department and each ambulatory surgical center must develop and implement policies and procedures for venous thromboembolism assessment and treatment using evidence-based practices, and train all nonphysician clinical personnel annually. Beginning July 1, 2027, hospitals with emergency departments must annually report specified venous thromboembolism data to a statewide registry. Assisted living facilities must provide residents a consumer information pamphlet about venous thromboembolism upon admission.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 3796: Insurance; enforcement and power of the Insurance Commissioner; bulletins; Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Program; expanding length of program; acquisitions; Long-Term Care Insurance Act; prohibiting persons from selling without proper license; effective date.

Persons may not sell, solicit, or negotiate long-term care insurance unless licensed as an insurance producer for accident and health or sickness or life. Individuals filing acquisition of control statements with the Commissioner must include personal financial statements reviewed by an independent public accountant. Bulletins published by previous Insurance Commissioners terminate ninety calendar days after the next Commissioner's inauguration unless continued by order.

Took effect 1 November 2026

HB 4040: State Department of Health; creating the Oklahoma Rural Health Transformation Program; creating revolving fund; emergency.

Creates the State Budget Act of 2026. The act becomes effective November 1, 2026.

SB 804: Long-term care; directing promulgation of specified rules; requiring assisted living centers to establish internal quality assurance committee. Effective date.

Each assisted living center must establish and maintain an internal quality assurance committee meeting at least quarterly to monitor trends and incidents, customer satisfaction, document quality assurance efforts, and recommend internal policies on resident care. The State Commissioner of Health must promulgate rules implementing the Continuum of Care and Assisted Living Act.

SB 889: Hospitals; requiring hospitals to make public certain file and list; authorizing compliance monitoring and enforcement; prohibiting certain collection actions. Effective date.

Hospitals must make public a digital file in machine-readable format containing all standard charges for all hospital items or services, and a consumer-friendly list of standard charges for at least three hundred shoppable services. Lists must be free, searchable, updated annually, and prominently displayed on the hospital's website.

Took effect 1 November 2025

SB 906: Practice of pharmacy; establishing certain pharmacy staffing ratio. Effective date.

Licensed retail pharmacies must maintain a pharmacy technician-to-pharmacist ratio of not more than five pharmacy technicians for every one licensed pharmacist. No person may serve as a pharmacy technician without first procuring a permit from the State Board of Pharmacy.

Took effect 1 November 2025

SB 947: Long-term care; updating statutory language related to ombudsmen and senior citizens. Emergency.

The Oklahoma Health Care Authority shall assess a Nursing Facilities Quality of Care Fee on each licensed nursing facility based on a uniform per-patient day rate calculated from six percent of total annual patient gross receipts divided by total patient days. Licensed nursing facilities must file monthly reports detailing daily patient census and patient gross receipts.

HB 4040: Relating to health care; and declaring an emergency.

Hospitals licensed under ORS 441.025 must screen uninsured patients, those enrolled in state medical assistance, or those owing over $1,500 for presumptive eligibility for financial assistance before billing, without requiring documentation. Hospitals must adopt written appeal processes and suspend collection activities during pending appeals. Parent providers must be employed as direct support professionals or personal support workers to provide attendant care to their minor children with very high medical or behavioral needs.

HB 4075: Relating to hospital finance; and declaring an emergency.

The State Treasurer may use up to 20 percent of the Unclaimed Property and Estates Fund to issue rural hospital stabilization loans to publicly elected rural hospitals receiving Medicare diagnostic related group reimbursement. Loans may only address cash shortages or refinance existing debt, not expand services or make capital improvements. Hospitals must submit a stabilization plan with financial forecasts and Director of Oregon Health Authority approval.

SB 1570: Relating to protections in health care facilities; and prescribing an effective date.

Hospitals must designate areas not open to the public, adopt written policies for law enforcement arrivals, and designate an administrator to respond. Hospitals cannot disclose individually identifiable health information or citizenship/immigration status information to law enforcement unless required by law or court order or for continuity of care. Health care facilities cannot retaliate against employees for distributing state-published immigrant rights materials. Health care providers must treat citizenship and immigration status information like protected health information.

HB 4053: Relating to emergency medical services; and prescribing an effective date.

The Oregon Health Authority must establish an Emergency Medical Services Program Fund and may establish programming for emergency medical services workforce development, training and innovation. The authority must adopt rules for statewide emergency medical services objectives and standards and publish biennial reports on program activities.

HB 3942: Relating to an expedited licensure process for health care facilities.

The Oregon Health Authority shall provide an expedited licensure process for health care facilities. The authority must issue a license within 45 days if an applicant meets specified criteria including operating a same-type facility in Oregon, being in good standing, having no compliance issues, and ensuring the new facility complies with all applicable rules. The authority may issue provisional licenses during application processing.

SB 296: Relating to hospital discharge challenges; and declaring an emergency.

Requires the Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority to create a dashboard measuring long-term care eligibility determination times, conduct operational reviews to streamline processes, study asset-testing waivers, and establish a post-hospital extended care benefit covering up to 100 days in skilled nursing facilities for medical assistance recipients.

HB 3294: Relating to staffing plans for health care provider entities; and prescribing an effective date.

Requires the Oregon Health Authority to study the effects of chapter 507, Oregon Laws 2023 and submit a report with possible legislative recommendations to interim health care committees by September 15, 2026.

SB 834: Relating to facilities that provide mental health treatment.

State hospitals may not provide care or treatment to individuals under 18 years of age. Superintendents of state hospitals must designate a physician licensed by the Oregon Medical Board as chief medical officer. Community mental health programs must provide specified mental health services including crisis intervention, residential care, and preventive services for children, adolescents, and older adults.

HB 2010: Relating to funding to improve access to health care; and prescribing an effective date.

Extends health insurance premium assessments on insurers and managed care organizations, and hospital assessments through December 31, 2032, with repeal dates moved to January 2, 2038. Removes Oregon Reinsurance Program credit provision and makes conforming amendments to tax and fee statutes.

HB 27: An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, providing for surgical smoke evacuation systems.

An ambulatory surgical facility or hospital shall adopt and implement policies to mitigate exposure to surgical smoke through the use of a smoke evacuation system for each procedure that generates surgical smoke on or before January 1, 2026, or 90 days after the effective date, whichever is later. The policy shall be developed in consultation with the entire surgical team.

HB 640: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of Public Welfare and its departmental administrative and advisory boards and commissions, providing for managed care organization assessment, for intermediate care facilities for persons with an intellectual disability assessments, for hospital assessments, for Statewide quality care assessments and for nursing facility assessment; in powers and duties of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, further providing for powers and duties; in judicial administration, further providing for surcharge and fee; and making repeals .

The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs must submit an annual report by January 31 of each year to specified legislative committees containing the current State plan, actions taken to expand education, prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery support programs, quarterly evaluations, money distributed and expended, and evaluations of completed grant programs. A division of the Unified Judicial System must charge and collect surcharges of $10 and $11.25 in addition to existing fees.

HB 7407: An act relating to health and safety -- the hospital conversions act

No person shall engage in a conversion involving a for-profit or not-for-profit corporation as acquiror or acquiree without prior approval from both the department of attorney general and the department of health. Transacting parties must file a detailed initial application containing specified information about the parties, financial details, charitable assets, community benefits, and staffing plans.

HB 7408: An act relating to making revised appropriations in support of fy 2026 relating to roger williams medical center and our lady of fatima hospital

Authorizes the state to provide up to $18,000,000 to fund a debt service reserve fund for hospital revenue bonds issued by the Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation to finance CharterCARE Health of Rhode Island, Inc.'s acquisition of Roger Williams Medical Center and Our Lady of Fatima Hospital.

S 895: Rural Emergency Hospitals

Amends the definition of 'Hospital' in South Carolina law to include all hospitals that convert to Rural Emergency Hospitals under federal regulations 42 C.F.R. Part 485 Subpart E and Section 125 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.

H 3022: Long Term Care Council

Amends the Long-Term Care Council statute to correct agency references and authorize member agencies to share necessary data and information for coordinating planning efforts and developing statewide service delivery recommendations.

S 146: Senator Roger A. Nutt Act, resident's rights in long-term care

Long-term care facilities must allow residents or their representatives to designate up to three people permitted to visit during declared states of emergency when facility access is limited or prohibited. Only one visitor per resident is allowed at any time during regular visiting hours. Designated visitors' names, relationships, and contact information must be provided to the facility.

HB 1044: make an appropriation to implement the rural health transformation program, and to declare an emergency.

Appropriates $402,000,000 in federal fund expenditure authority to the Department of Health for implementing the rural health transformation program authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with quarterly reporting requirements and reversion of unspent amounts by October 30, 2027.

SB 2431: Health Care - As enacted, makes various changes to health-related laws, including, but not limited to, requiring the commissioner of health to prescribe conditions under which processed and verified claims data found on the UB-92 form are made available to the public; revising law relative to critical access hospitals, and revising law relative to certificates of need. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68.

Magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography equipment that are not used for diagnostic purposes do not require a license under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 68-11-204. Magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography used for diagnostic purposes require a license under that section.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 1864: TennCare - As enacted, extends the nursing home annual assessment fee to June 30, 2027; makes other related revisions. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 5, Part 10.

The bureau of TennCare must establish a nursing facility program budget target and calculate a budget adjustment factor to adjust expected medicaid expenditures to meet that target, applying it as an across-the-board percentage adjustment to provider reimbursement rates. The bureau must rebase median costs and prices at intervals no longer than three years using audited or reviewed cost reports.

Took effect 1 July 2026

HB 2093: Managed Care Organizations - As enacted, prohibits a managed care organization from including a provision in the managed care organization's contract with a qualified nursing facility to provide medicaid nursing facility services, that permit actual or constructive termination by the MCO without cause, for convenience, or termination without specifying the grounds for termination; requires the bureau of TennCare, in conjunction with the department of commerce and insurance, to review and approve all standard contract templates used by MCOs for facility contracting to ensure compliance. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 68, Chapter 11 and Title 71, Chapter 5.

A managed care organization is prohibited from including contract provisions with qualified nursing facilities that permit termination without cause, for convenience, or without specifying grounds. The bureau of TennCare must review and approve all standard contract templates used by MCOs for facility contracting to ensure compliance.

Took effect 1 July 2026

SB 1369: Health Care - As enacted, revises law relative to the operation of acute care hospitals. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 68; Title 71 and Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024.

Exempts acute care hospitals, defined as hospitals with average patient stays of 25 days or less, from certificate of need requirements. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2028.

SB 1522: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the health facilities commission to June 30, 2030. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 2.

Removes the health facilities commission from one sunset law list and adds it to another, extending its existence to June 30, 2030.

HB 979: Health Care - As enacted, establishes licensure of anesthesiologist assistants; revises provisions authorizing hospitals to employ certain licensed physicians for certain medical services. - Amends TCA Title 47; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1612: Relating to direct payment for certain health care provided by a hospital.

A hospital must accept direct payment from a patient who is not an enrollee for health care services, provided the request is made within 60 days of receiving a bill. The hospital may charge no more than 25 percent greater than amounts generally billed, or no more than 50 percent greater than the lowest contracted rate with non-Medicaid, non-CHIP, non-Medicare health benefit plans.

Took effect 1 September 2025

HB 2187: Relating to hospital staffing report and complaint processes and to retaliation and mandatory overtime protections for nurses.

Hospitals may not retaliate against nurses who provide information to nurse staffing committees or report violations to hospital management or the commission. Hospitals may not suspend, terminate, discipline, or discriminate against nurses who refuse mandatory overtime or report violations. The chief nursing officer must attest to accuracy of staffing information reported.

Took effect 1 September 2025

HB 3788: Relating to the operations of municipal hospital authorities.

Municipal hospital authorities may change the number of directors by amending their creating ordinance unless prohibited by resolution or trust indenture, provided reductions do not shorten incumbent directors' terms. Authorities without operating hospitals may use available assets for public health initiatives, issue revenue bonds for such purposes, and appoint directors through methods prescribed by board resolution.

Took effect 1 September 2025

HB 4743: Relating to the issuance of a single license for a hospital and a mobile stroke unit of the hospital.

The department may issue one license for a hospital and a mobile stroke unit of the hospital if the mobile stroke unit is accredited by a health care accreditation organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Subsection (g) does not apply to a license issued to a mobile stroke unit under this provision.

Took effect 1 September 2025

HB 754: Relating to human trafficking prevention, including training for medical assistants, disclosure of human trafficking information by certain health care facilities, and protection for facility employees who report human trafficking.

Medical assistants must successfully complete an approved human trafficking prevention training course within a time prescribed by commission rule. Facilities must display a specified sign at least 11 inches by 17 inches in English, Spanish, and other primary languages spoken by 10 percent or more of employees. Facilities may not discipline, retaliate against, or discriminate against employees who report suspected human trafficking in good faith.

Took effect 1 September 2025

SB 457: Relating to the regulation of certain nursing facilities, including licensing requirements and Medicaid participation and reimbursement requirements.

Nursing facilities must comply with an annual patient care expense ratio requiring at least 85 percent of medical assistance reimbursement attributable to patient care expenses be spent on reasonable and necessary patient care expenses. Nursing facilities must notify the commission of changes to ownership interest information. Medicaid managed care organizations must require nursing facility provider agreements to include patient care expense ratio compliance.

Took effect 1 September 2025