REGULATORY INTELLIGENCE YEAR-END REPORT - 2022 Health Policy Tracking Service - Issue Briefs Healthcare Providers & Facilities Medical Errors and Patient Safety This Issue Brief was written by Jeffrey Karberg, J.D., a member of the Maryland bar and a contributing writer. 12/19/2022 Medical Errors and Patient Safety Reducing Medical Errors and Improving Patient Safety Federal 2021 CONG US HR 9094 was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 30, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to amend the Public Health Service Act to enhance efforts to address antimicrobial resistance. The bill seeks to implement Federal activities to slow the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and prevent the spread of resistant infections. Such activities may include optimal use of vaccines and other infection control measures to prevent infections, implementation of health care policies and antimicrobial stewardship programs that improve patient outcomes, regional efforts to control transmission across community and health care settings, and public awareness campaigns. 2021 CONG US HR 9011 was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 28, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a process to allow the holders of abbreviated new drug applications to make labeling changes to include new or updated safety-related information. The Act may be cited as the 'Updated Drug Labeling for Patient Safety Act'. 2021 CONG US HR 8937 was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 21, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act to improve the recruitment and retention of employees in the Indian Health Service, restore accountability in the Indian Health Service, and improve health services. In Arizona 2022 AZ H.B. 2483 (NS) was introduced June 23, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to require a hospital or facility where abortions are performed must submit to the department of health services on a form prescribed by the department a report of each abortion performed in the hospital or facility. The report must not identify the individual patient by name or include any other information or identifier that would make it possible to identify, in any manner or under any circumstances, a woman who has obtained or sought to obtain an abortion. In California 2021 CAA.C.R. 127 (NS) was introduced January 26, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to designate the week of January 30, 2022, to February 5, 2022, inclusive, as Physician Anesthesiologist Week. 2021 CA S.B. 1023 (NS) was introduced February 15, 2022. Existing law requires the Department of Health Care Access and Information to maintain a Health Professions Career Opportunity Program to, among other things, implement programs at colleges and universities selected by the department and include in those programs pipeline programs that provide comprehensive academic enrichment, career development, mentorship, and advising in order to support students from underrepresented regions and backgrounds to pursue health careers. If passed, this bill would, upon appropriation by the Legislature, require the Department of Health Care Access and Information to, by January 1, 2023, establish and facilitate operations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Strengthening our Health System by Transforming Medical Training and Education to Improve Patient Protection. The bill would provide for the membership and set forth the duties of the commission, including establishing subgroups to focus on specified topics related to streamlining the training and education of physicians, establishing an action plan related to medical education for use by the THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. Medical Board of California and higher education institutions, conducting health studies and surveys in underserved communities, and facilitating a comprehensive review of various policy questions related to consumer protection and patient safety. 2021 CA S.B. 958 (NS) was introduced February 9, 2022. Existing law requires a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy that provides coverage for outpatient prescription drugs to cover medically necessary prescription drugs. This bill would prohibit a health care service plan or health insurer, or its designee, from arranging for or requiring a vendor to dispense an infused or injected medication directly to a patient with the intent that the patient will transport the medication to a health care provider for administration. The bill would authorize a plan or insurer, or its designee, to cover an infused or injected medication to be administered in an enrollee's or insured's home if the treating health care provider determines it is safe and appropriate, and to cover an infused or injected medication supplied by a vendor specified by the plan or insurer, or its designee, if specified criteria are met. If passed the proposed bill will act be known as the Medication and Patient Safety Act of 2022. 2021 CA S.B. 999 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended April 25, 2022. The proposed bill is known as the California Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Patient Safety and Fairness Act. Existing law requires a health care service plan or disability insurer, as specified, to base medical necessity determinations and the utilization review criteria the plan or insurer, and any entity acting on the plan's or insurer's behalf, applies to determine the medical necessity of health care services and benefits for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, on current generally accepted standards of mental health and substance use disorder care. If passed, this bill would require the Director of Managed Health Care and the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules mandating specific requirements for utilization review, including requiring the health care service plan or the disability insurer, as applicable, or an entity acting on the plan's or insurer's behalf, to maintain telephone access during California business hours for a health care provider to request authorization for mental health and substance use disorder care and conduct peer- to-peer discussions regarding specific issues related to treatment. 2021 CA S.B. 958 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended April 18, 2022. Existing law requires a health care service plan contract or health insurance policy that provides coverage for outpatient prescription drugs to cover medically necessary prescription drugs. This bill would prohibit a health care service plan or health insurer, or its designee, from requiring a vendor to dispense an infused or injected medication directly to a patient with the intent that the patient will transport the medication to a health care provider for administration. The bill would authorize a plan or insurer to arrange for an infused injected medication to be administered in an insured's when the treating health care provider and patient determine home administration is in the best interest of the patient. 2021 CA A.B. 2236 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended June 22, 2022. Existing law, the Optometry Practice Act, establishes the State Board of Optometry in the Department of Consumer Affairs for the licensure and regulation of the practice of optometry. Existing law requires an optometrist to obtain a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification from the board to diagnose and treat certain conditions, and provides that an optometrist who holds a therapeutic pharmaceutical agents certification is certified to medically treat glaucomas, subject to satisfaction of specified requirements. If passed, this bill will authorize an optometrist certified to treat glaucoma to use anterior segment lasers and to perform minor procedures, as defined, if the optometrist obtains an additional certification for those purposes from the board, and would set forth education, training, examination, and other requirements for obtaining that certification. The bill would require the board to set a fee, not to exceed $150, for the issuance and renewal of the certificate, and would require an optometrist who performs procedures pursuant to these provisions to annually report certain information to the board, including any adverse treatment outcomes associated with the procedure that required a referral to an ophthalmologist. The bill would require the board to report the information to the Governor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services and to make the report available on the board's internet website, and would authorize the board to adopt regulations to implement the bill's provisions. 2021 CA A.B. 2790 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended June 20, 2022. Existing law requires a health practitioner, as defined, to make a report to law enforcement when they suspect a patient has suffered physical injury that is either self-inflicted, caused by a firearm, or caused by assaultive or abusive conduct, including elder abuse, sexual assault, or torture. A violation of these provisions is punishable as a misdemeanor. This bill would, on and after January 1, 2024, remove the requirement that a health practitioner make a report to law enforcement when they suspect a patient has suffered physical injury caused by assaultive or abusive conduct. Because of the complexity of interpersonal violence and impact of social inequities on safety, people who have experienced violence should be provided survivor-centered support and health care that results in better outcomes for patient safety. Doing so can improve the health and safety of patients already in care, decrease potential barriers to care, and promote trust between survivors and health providers. CA LEGIS 47 (2022) was filed with the Secretary of State June 30, 2022. This bill would require additional documentation to be provided when ordering commitment. The bill would, commencing on July 1, 2023, require that a defendant first be considered for placement in an outpatient treatment program, a community treatment program, or a diversion program, if available, unless the court finds that the clinical needs of the defendant or the risk to community safety, warrant placement in a State Department of State Hospitals facility, as specified. The bill also requires the office to adopt a single set of standard measures for assessing health care quality and equity across payers, fully integrated delivery systems, hospitals, and physician organizations. Performance on quality and health equity measures shall be included in the annual report. The standard quality and equity measures must use recognized THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. clinical quality, patient experience, patient safety, and utilization measures for health care service plans, health insurers, hospitals, and physician organizations. 2021 CA A.B. 858 (NS) was enrolled September 1, 2022. This bill will provide that the use of technology must not limit a worker who is providing direct patient care from exercising independent clinical judgment in the assessment, evaluation, planning, and implementation of care, nor from acting as a patient advocate. The bill defines 'technology' for these purposes to mean scientific hardware or software, including algorithms derived from the use of health care related data, used to achieve a medical or nursing care objective at a general acute care hospital. This bill also authorizes a worker who provides direct patient care at a general acute care hospital to override health information technology and clinical practice guidelines if, in their professional judgment and in accordance with their scope of practice, which includes receiving the approval of the patient's physician or doctor of podiatric medicine, it is in the best interest of the patient to do so. The bill states that it is the intent of the Legislature that health information technology, clinical practice guidelines, or algorithms shall not limit the effective exercise of, or be a substitute for, the professional judgment of workers providing direct patient care. This is crucial to protect millions of patients' safety in interacting with a deeply flawed medical technological system, that among many issues, has shown their commercial algorithms exhibit significant racial bias. 2021 CA A.B. 1882 (NS) was enrolled August 29, 2022. The Alfred E. Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act of 1983 establishes, under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health Care Access and Information, a program of seismic safety building standards for certain hospitals constructed on and after March 7, 1973. A violation of the act is a misdemeanor. The act requires an owner of a general acute care inpatient hospital, no later than January 1, 2030, to either demolish, replace, or change to nonacute care use all hospital buildings not in substantial compliance with the regulations and standards developed pursuant to the act, or seismically retrofit all acute care inpatient hospital buildings so that they are in substantial compliance with those regulations and standards. 2021 CA A.B. 2236 (NS) was enrolled September 2, 2022. Existing law, the Optometry Practice Act, establishes the State Board of Optometry in the Department of Consumer Affairs for the licensure and regulation of the practice of optometry. Existing law excludes certain classes of agents from the practice of optometry unless they have an explicit United States Food and Drug Administration- approved indication, as specified. This bill adds neuromuscular blockers to the list of excluded classes of agents. The bill also: ¢ authorizes an optometrist certified to treat glaucoma to obtain certification to perform specified advanced procedures if the optometrist meets certain education, training, examination, and other requirements, as specified; * requires the board to set a fee for the issuance and renewal of the certificate authorizing the use of advanced procedures, which would be deposited in the Optometry Fund; and * requires an optometrist who performs advanced procedures pursuant to these provisions to report certain information to the board, including any adverse treatment outcomes that required a referral to or consultation with another health care provider. 2021 CA A.B. 2574 (NS) was adopted September 27, 2022. Existing law relating to prescription lenses and ophthalmic and optometric assistants authorizes an assistant, under the direct responsibility and supervision of an optometrist or ophthalmologist, to perform preliminary subjective refraction procedures in connection with finalizing subjective refraction procedures performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist, subject to prescribed conditions. Those conditions include a requirement that the assistant have at least 45 hours of documented training in subjective refraction procedures acceptable to the supervising ophthalmologist or optometrist. This bill will: ¢ authorize the training to include performing preliminary subjective refraction procedures consistent with existing law to accomplish that training; * require an optometrist to stabilize, if possible, and immediately refer any patient who has an acute attack of angle closure to an ophthalmologist; ¢ authorize the utilization of laboratory tests or examinations that are performed in a laboratory with a certificate of waiver under the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988; and * authorize an optometrist meeting the immunization certification requirements to independently initiate, in addition to administering, the specified immunizations. 2021 CA A.B. 1751 (NS) was adopted September 29, 2022. Existing law defines 'injury' for an employee to include illness or death resulting from the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) under specified circumstances, until January 1, 2023. Existing law also make a claim relating to a COVID-19 illness presumptively compensable, as described above, after 30 days or 45 days, rather than 90 days. Existing law, until January 1, 2023, allows for a presumption of injury for all employees whose fellow employees at their place of employment experience specified levels of positive testing, and whose employer has 5 or more employees. This bill extends the above- described provisions relating to COVID-19 until January 1, 2024. The bill also expands the above-described provisions applicable to firefighters and police officers to include active firefighting members of a fire department at the State Department of State Hospitals, the State Department of Developmental Services, the Military Department, and the Department of Veterans Affairs and to officers of a state hospital under the jurisdiction of the State Department of State Hospitals and the State Department of Developmental Services. In Colorado THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2022 CO S.B. 111 (NS) was introduced February 3, 2022. The proposed bill relates to infection prevention grants to nursing facilities. Current law directs the departments of public health and environment and health care policy and financing to consider allocating money in the nursing home penalty cash fund for grants to be approved for measures that will benefit residents of nursing facilities by fostering innovation and improving the quality of life and care at the facilities. The bill adds to the list of possible measures eligible for grant funding projects aimed at infection prevention and control. Awards for infection prevention and control are limited to education support, workforce support, and physical enhancements for infection control. 2022 CO H.B. 1352 (NS) was introduced March 31, 2022. Under current law, the state board of health has the authority to adopt rules and to establish standards to assure that hospitals; other acute care facilities; county, district, and municipal public health agencies; and trauma centers are prepared for an emergency epidemic that is declared to be a disaster emergency. This bill specifies that, under this authority, the board may adopt rules or establish standards for the maintenance of an adequate stockpile of personal protective equipment for infection control and staff proficiency in using the personal protective equipment. 2022 CO S.B. 219 (NS) was engrossed May 10, 2022. The bill prohibits a person from practicing dental therapy in the state unless licensed by the Colorado dental board (board). A licensed dental therapist is authorized to deliver routine and preventive dental care. A person who desires to qualify for practice as a dental therapist must file with the board a written application for a license, proof of graduation from a school of dental therapy or a dental therapy program that meets the requirements of the bill, and proof of completion of the examinations required for licensure as a dental hygienist. 2022 CO S.B. 225 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended April 29, 2022. Under current law, ambulance services are regulated at the local level. On and after July 1, 2024, the bill requires an ambulance service to obtain a state license from the department of public health and environment (department). In licensing ambulance services, the department is authorized to conduct inspections, investigate and hold hearings regarding alleged violations, and, for any violations found, take action against an ambulance service's license or application for an initial or renewed license, impose civil penalties, or both. On or before January 1, 2024, the state board of health (board) is required to adopt rules regarding minimum standards for ambulance services, including equipment, staffing, medical oversight, and general and vehicle liability insurance standards and, if the board deems it necessary, rules imposing application and licensing fees. 2022 CO H.B. 1309 (NS) was enrolled May 25, 2022. The bill relates to the authority of a hospital to dispense a seven-day supply of drugs to a victim of sexual assault in order to treat sexually transmitted infections. 2022 CO H.B. 1401 (NS) was enrolled May 17, 2022. The bill relates to the preparedness of health facilities to meet patient needs. The bill states that on or before September 1, 2022, each hospital must establish a nurse staffing committee pursuant to rules promulgated by the state board of health, either by creating a new committee or assigning the nurse staffing functions to an existing hospital staffing committee. The nurse staffing committee must have at least sixty percent or greater participation by clinical staff nurses, in addition to auxiliary personnel and nurse managers. The nurse staffing committee must include a designated leader of workplace violence prevention and reduction efforts. In Connecticut 2022 CT H.B. 5042 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended April 29, 2022. The proposed bill is an act relating to health care cost growth. The bill, if passed, will require the executive director must develop and adopt annual health care cost growth benchmarks and annual primary care spending targets for the succeeding five calendar years for provider entities and payers. In developing annual health care quality benchmarks pursuant to this subdivision, the executive director must consider quality measures endorsed by nationally recognized organizations, including, but not limited to, the National Quality Forum, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control, the Joint Commission and expert organizations that develop health equity measures, and measures that: * concern health outcomes, overutilization, underutilization and patient safety; ¢ meet standards of patient-centeredness and ensure consideration of differences in preferences and clinical characteristics within patient subpopulations; and * concern community health or population health. 2022 CT H.B. 5500 (NS) was adopted May 23, 2022. The bill is an act concerning the department of public health's recommendations regarding various revisions to the public health statutes. The bill states that it is the goal of the State-wide Health Information Exchange to: ¢ allow real-time, secure access to patient health information and complete medical records across all health care provider settings; ¢ provide patients with secure electronic access to their health information; * allow voluntary participation by patients to access their health information at no cost; * support care coordination through real-time alerts and timely access to clinical information; and ¢ reduce costs associated with preventable readmissions, duplicative testing and medical errors. In Florida THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2022 FL S.B. 1262 (NS) was filed December 15, 2021. The proposed bill relates to mental health and substance abuse. The proposed bill states that if a patient's 72-hour examination period ends on a weekend or holiday, a petition may be filed no later than the next working day thereafter. If the examination period ends on a weekend or holiday, a receiving facility may postpone release of a patient until the next working day thereafter only if a qualified professional documents that adequate discharge planning and procedures are not possible until the next working day. Discharge planning and procedures must include and document consideration of availability of, and access to, prescribed psychotropic medications in the community. To ensure a patient's safety and provision of continuity of essential psychotropic medications, such prescribed psychotropic medications, prescriptions, multiple partial prescriptions for psychotropic medications, or a combination thereof, must be provided to the patient upon discharge to cover the intervening days until the first scheduled psychotropic medication aftercare appointment, up to a maximum of 21 calendar days. In Hawaii 2021 HI S.B. 2602 (NS) was introduced January 21, 2022. If passed, the proposed bill will establish limitations on the mandatory and voluntary work hours for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. 2021 HI H.B. 1575 (NS) was adopted July 12, 2022. The bill expands the scope of practice for physician assistants. The bill requires a sampling of medical records that includes certain amounts of controlled substance prescriptions, rather than all medical records, to be reviewed when physician assistants prescribe controlled substances. In Illinois 2021 IL S.B. 3209 (NS) was introduced January 14, 2022. The proposed bill provides that that a pharmacist must provide patient care services for human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis and human immunodeficiency virus post-exposure prophylaxis to a patient after satisfying specified requirements. The bill also provides that specified provisions concerning coverage of patient care services provided by a pharmacist must apply to all patient care services provided by a pharmacist (rather than patient care services for hormonal contraceptives assessment and consultation only). 2021 IL H.B. 5051 (NS) was filed January 26, 2022. If passed, the proposed bill will require that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation must submit a report regarding patient safety, efficiency, and errors to the General Assembly no later than one year (instead of 6 months) after the implementation of this Act. 2021 IL H.B. 4430 (NS) was adopted June 10, 2022. The bill amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. The bill provides that the definition of 'practice of pharmacy' includes the initiation, dispensing, or administration of drugs, laboratory tests, assessments, referrals, and consultations for human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis and human immunodeficiency virus post-exposure prophylaxis. Provides that as applicable to the State's Medicaid program and other payers, patient care services ordered and administered by a pharmacist shall be covered and reimbursed at no less than 85% of the rate that the services are covered and reimbursed when ordered or administered by physicians. Provides that a pharmacist shall provide patient care services for human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis and human immunodeficiency virus post-exposure prophylaxis to a patient after satisfying specified requirements. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that specified provisions concerning coverage of patient care services provided by a pharmacist shall apply to all patient care services provided by a pharmacist (rather than patient care services for hormonal contraceptives assessment and consultation only). 2021 IL H.B. 5823 (NS) was filed October 21, 2022. The bill provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Reproductive Liberty and Justice Act. If passed, the bill will require the Department of Public Health to establish reproductive health centers throughout the State to provide comprehensive access to essential reproductive health care services. The bill will also: ¢ expand the definition of 'medical facility' to include a reproductive health center established at a nonprofit community health center. Makes other changes; * make changes to the definition of 'birth center'; * amend the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act; ¢ provide that a licensed certified professional midwife may provide out-of-hospital care to a childbearing individual who has had a previous cesarean section, if authorized by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; and * remove language prohibiting a licensed certified professional midwife from performing an abortion or knowingly accepting responsibility for prenatal or intrapartum care of a client with alcohol abuse or drug addiction. In Indiana 2022 IN H.B. 1069 (NS) was introduced January 4, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to establish the psychology interjurisdictional compact concerning interjurisdictional telepsychology and the temporary authorization to practice psychology in another compact state. The bill also: ¢ sets forth requirements of a compact state; and ¢ sets forth the duties of the psychology interjurisdictional compact commission. THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2022 IN S.B. 365 (NS) was introduced January 11, 2022. If passed, the proposed bill will establish the psychology interjurisdictional compact concerning interjurisdictional telepsychology and the temporary authorization to practice psychology in another compact state. The compact is designed to achieve the following purposes and objectives: ¢ increase public access to professional psychological services by allowing for telepsychological practice across state lines as well as temporary in-person, face-to-face services into a state in which the psychologist is not licensed to practice psychology; * enhance the states' ability to protect the health and safety of the public, especially client and patient safety; * encourage the cooperation of compact states in the area of psychology licensure and regulation; ¢ facilitate the exchange of information between compact states concerning psychologist licensure, adverse actions, and disciplinary history; * promote compliance with the laws governing psychological practice in each compact state; and * invest all compact states with the authority to hold licensed psychologists accountable through the mutual recognition of compact state licenses. In lowa 2021 IA H.F. 803 (NS) was engrossed April 4, 2022. The bill relates to duties performed by physician assistants. In Kansas 2021 KS H.B. 2652 (NS) was introduced February 9, 2022. If passed, the proposed bill will continue the governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas by extending the expanded use of telemedicine, the authority of the board of healing arts to grant certain temporary emergency licenses, the suspension of certain requirements related to medical care facilities and immunity from civil liability for certain healthcare providers, certain persons conducting business in this state and covered facilities for COVID-19 claims until January 20, 2023. 2021 KS H.B. 2698 (NS) was introduced February 11, 2022. The bill seeks to establish a legislative joint committee to study pharmacy workplace conditions and the impact of such conditions on patient safety. The joint committee will study pharmacy workplace conditions and the impact of such conditions on patient safety. The joint committee's study must include the results from any relevant survey conducted by the state board of pharmacy, national data and research on pharmacist workplace conditions and wellbeing, changes made in other states to address pharmacy workplace conditions and patient safety and any other material the joint committee determines to be appropriate. 2021 KS H.B. 2110 (NS) was adopted April 7, 2022. The bill is an act mandating coverage for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) and requiring submission of an impact report to the legislature. In Kentucky 2022 KY S.B. 158 (NS) was enrolled March 25, 2022. The bill contains a provision stating that the Office of Data Analytics must be headed by an executive director appointed by the secretary with the approval of the Governor and must identify and innovate strategic initiatives to inform public policy initiatives and provide opportunities for improved health outcomes for all Kentuckians through data analytics. The office will provide leadership in the redesign of the health care delivery system using electronic information technology to improve patient care and reduce medical errors and duplicative services. 2022 KY H.B. 174 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended March 23, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to extend Medicaid eligibility for certain new mothers for up to 12 months postpartum. If passed, the bill will also require the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the Department for Medicaid Services to seek a federal waiver or other approval if they determine that such waiver or approval is necessary. In Louisiana 2022 LA S.B. 496 (NS) was introduced April 21, 2022. The proposed bill relates to healthcare facility patient safety policies. The legislature finds and declares that ensuring patient safety is a critical part of delivering quality healthcare services. Patient safety includes not only implementing appropriate courses of action in treating a patient, but also educating and empowering licensed healthcare providers in the facility to express opinions and concerns regarding all aspects of the patient's experience in the facility. If passed, this bill will require healthcare facilities to adopt policies that promote national best practices on patient safety, support quality improvement initiatives, and empower licensed healthcare providers to take all appropriate steps to prevent a patient safety event. The policies must include but not be limited to the rights and responsibilities of a licensed healthcare provider providing patient care in a licensed healthcare facility to protect the safety of a patient, to immediately intervene or escalate concerns through an identified chain of command, to prevent a patient safety event, and to mitigate subsequent patient harm. The policy must also include a process for post- occurrence review of the situation to determine whether additional action is required to minimize the likelihood of similar situations in the future. THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2022 LA H.R. 62 (NS) was enrolled May 18, 2022. The bill is a resolution to urge and request the Louisiana Department of Health to develop a proposal for a statewide hospital coordination plan and patient transfer strategy for use in disasters and other emergency situations and to report the proposal to the House Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Select Committee on Homeland Security. In Maryland 2022 MD H.B. 48 (NS) was introduced January 12, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to establish the Maryland Suicide Fatality Review Committee. The bill also: * provides that a person has immunity from liability for certain actions related to the Committee; « provides for the sharing of information with and confidentiality of information obtained by the Committee; exempting Committee meetings from the Open Meetings Act; ¢ prohibiting certain persons from testifying in any proceeding about details of a Committee meeting. 2022 MD S.B. 591 (NS) was introduced February 2, 2022. The proposed bill relates to the Maryland Health Care Commission Patient Safety Center designation and fund. 2022 MD H.B. 915 (NS) was introduced February 7, 2022. The proposed bill was introduced for the purpose of requiring the Maryland Health Care Commission to designate a center as the Patient Safety Center for the State on or before a certain date. The bill also seeks to: ¢ establish requirements for a center designated under this Act; ¢ establish the Patient Safety Center Fund as a special, nonlapsing fund; and * require interest earnings of the Fund to be credited to the Fund. 2022 MD H.B. 820 (NS) was approved May 12, 2022. The bill removes a requirement that rituximab be approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration to be subject to a requirement on certain insurers, nonprofit health service plans, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for the treatment of certain pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders; and generally relating to health insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders. In Massachusetts 2021 MA H.B. 4929 (NS) was introduced June 28, 2022. The proposed bill relates to step therapy and patient safety. 2021 MA S.B. 3003 (NS) was introduced July 14, 2022. The proposed bill is an act expanding protections for reproductive and gender- affirming care. 'Gender-affirming health care services' is defined as all supplies, care and services of a medical, behavioral health, mental health, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative or supportive nature relating to the treatment of gender dysphoria. In Michigan 2021 MI H.B. 5966 (NS) was introduced March 23, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to provide for the establishment of a universal and unified health care system and to reform the current payment system for health care coverage in this state. The bill also seeks to create certain boards and committees and prescribe their powers and duties. The board must develop and maintain a method for evaluating systemwide performance and quality, including identification of the appropriate process and outcome measures as follows: ¢ for determining public and health care professional satisfaction with the health care system; * for assessing the effectiveness of prevention and health promotion programs; * for cost containment and limiting the growth in expenditures for health services; ¢ for determining the adequacy of the supply and distribution of health care resources in this state; ¢ for determining and tracking rates of morbidity and premature mortality for relevant populations, and determining and tracking life expectancy and other quantifiable indicators of population health as appropriate; and * for assessing the frequency and severity of medical errors and preventable adverse outcomes. In Michigan 2021 MI H.B. 5609 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended June 30, 2022. The proposed bill states that the department will implement a quality assurance monitoring process for the purposes of conducting the surveys described in this part for the purpose of certification. The quality assurance monitoring process must include the quality assurance review of citations as described in this part. The department must establish an advisory workgroup to provide recommendations to the department on the quality assurance monitoring process. The advisory workgroup established under this section must include a representative from the department, representatives from nursing home provider organizations, the state long-term care ombudsman, and any other representative that the department considers necessary or appropriate. The advisory workgroup shall identify and make recommendations on improvements to the quality assurance monitoring process to ensure ongoing validity, reliability, and consistency of nursing home survey findings. THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2021 MI H.B. 6285 (NS) was introduced June 30, 2022. The bill states that an individual who is licensed to practice a health profession in another state or in a province of Canada, who is registered in another state, or who holds a health profession specialty field license or specialty certification from another state and who applies for licensure, registration, specialty certification, or a health profession specialty field license in this state must be granted an appropriate license or registration or specialty certification or health profession specialty field license upon satisfying the board or task force to which the applicant meets certain specified criteria. In Minnesota 2021 MN H.F. 3242 (NS) was introduced February 10, 2022. The proposed bill is known as the 'The Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act.' The bill relates to required hospital core staffing plans and hospital staffing studies. Each hospital must establish and maintain a functioning hospital nurse staffing committee. A hospital may assign the functions and duties of a hospital nurse staffing committee to an existing committee, provided the existing committee meets the membership requirements applicable to a hospital nurse staffing committee. 2021 MN S.F. 3501 (NS) was engrossed April 4, 2022. The statute states that all certain specified benefits relating to expenses incurred for medical treatment or services of a licensed physician, must include services provided by a physician assistant. This subdivision is intended to provide payment of benefits for treatment and services by a physician assistant and is not intended to add to the benefits provided for in these policies or contracts. In Missouri 2022 MO H.B. 2116 (NS) was approved June 30, 2022. The bill states that a health care facility shall allow a patient or resident, or his or her legal guardian, to permit at least two compassionate care visitors simultaneously to have in-person contact with the patient or resident during visiting hours. Compassionate care visitation hours shall be no less than six hours daily and shall include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Health care facilities shall be permitted to place additional restrictions on children under the age of fourteen who are compassionate care visitors. A health care facility may limit access to any patient if the person has measurable signs and symptoms of a transmissible infection; except that, the health care facility shall allow access through telephone or other means of telecommunication that ensure the protection of the patient or resident. In New Hampshire 2021 NH H.B. 1390 (NS) was introduced January 5, 2022. The proposed bill relates to access to language translation services in telemedicine. This bill directs licensed health care facilities required to provide meaningful language access to limited-English proficient speakers and deaf or heard of hearing individuals to provide such access when services are provided through telemedicine. 2021 NH H.B. 1444 (NS) was introduced January 5, 2022. The proposed bill relates to the registration of medical spas. The New Hampshire legislature declares that patients are increasingly seeking cosmetic medical procedures and treatment and it is crucial that patient safety remains the top priority for providers of these services. These procedures and treatments are often administered or performed in a medical spa setting; however, lack of regulation has enabled medical spas to offer cosmetic medical procedures by inadequately trained or supervised persons to an unsuspecting public. Some medical spas have a physician, doctor of naturopathic medicine, or APRN listed as a medical director, who does not own the facility and/or is not physically present at the location or immediately available. It is in the public interest to protect patients from harm by ensuring that medical spas deliver safe medical care with supervision by a physician, doctor of naturopathic medicine, or APRN. NH LEGIS 319 (2022) was approved July 1, 2022. The bill states that untreated oral health conditions negatively affect a person's overall health and that good oral health improves a person's ability to obtain and keep employment. The general court further recognizes that regular dental care and access to preventive and restorative treatments for oral health conditions prevent oral conditions from developing into more complex health conditions that would require medical care. In addition, the general court recognizes that personal responsibility is an essential component of any strategy to improve individual oral health. Therefore, to improve overall health and prevent future health conditions caused by oral health problems, and based on the recommendation of the working group the legislature determined that it is in the best interest of the state of New Hampshire to extend dental benefits under the Medicaid managed care program to individuals 21 years of age and over. In New Jersey 2022 NJ S.B. 1056 (NS) was introduced January 31, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to require certain hospitals to complete Leapfrog Hospital Survey. The Leapfrog survey assigns patient safety grades to hospitals and summarizes hospital performance data according to inpatient care management, medication safety, maternity care, infections and injuries, pediatric care, surgeon volume, and surgical appropriateness. 2022 NJ A.B. 4350 (NS) was introduced June 20, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to strengthen access to reproductive health care. 2022 NJ S.B. 2936 (NS) was introduced June 27, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to provide Medicaid coverage for certain home visitation program services under certain circumstances. 'New Jersey Home Visiting Initiative' means the effort within the Department of Children and Families to improve the physical and emotional well-being of infants, children, and their families in New Jersey by providing community-based education and in-home support to parents and includes three, Statewide, evidence-based home visiting models: Nurse-Family Partnership; Healthy Families America; and Parents as Teachers. THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2022 NJ A.B. 4425 (NS) was introduced June 29, 2022. If passed, this bill would prohibit contracts which are issued or purchased pursuant to the State Health Benefits Program, School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and Medicaid Program from denying coverage for a maintenance medication prescribed by a covered person's physician for the covered person's chronic condition because of a change in the covered person's pharmaceutical benefits that results solely from a change in the health benefits plan or the pharmacy benefits manager for that plan. The prohibition applies only if the covered person was taking the medication prior to the date of the change in the covered person's health benefits plan or the pharmacy benefits manager for that plan, and if the covered person's new health benefits plan, or health benefits plan under the new pharmacy benefits manager, as applicable, provides coverage for that class of drugs. 2022 NJ A.B. 4484 (NS) was introduced September 15, 2022. If passed, the bill will revise the reporting requirements for nursing homes concerning financial disclosures and ownership structure. The bill will require the Commissioner of Human Services to establish a direct care ratio reporting and rebate requirement, which nursing homes must be required to report total revenues collected, along with the portion of revenues that are expended on direct care staff wages, other staff wages, taxes, administrative costs, investments in improvements to the facility's equipment and physical plant, profits, and any other factors as the commissioner requires. The commissioner may adjust the components of the ratio as appropriate based on current financial information reported by nursing homes and overall performance by the nursing home related to patient safety and quality of care. 2022 NJ S.B. 3086 (NS) was introduced September 29, 2022. If passed, the proposed bill will establish the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance in Department of Law and Public Safety. The bill will require the Attorney General to establish an Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention in the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance in the Department of Law and Public Safety under the supervision of a Chief of the Office of Violence Intervention and Prevention. The office must promote and facilitate the performance or provision of violence intervention and certain specified prevention services and manage and oversee the State's violence intervention and prevention work. The office's responsibilities shall include managing and overseeing violence intervention and prevention programs maintained and operated by the department, including but not limited to any hospital-based or community-based violence intervention program. 2022 NJ A.B. 4683 (NS) was introduced September 29, 2022. If passed, this bill will authorize pharmacists to dispense HIV prophylaxis without individual prescription under certain circumstances. 2022 NJ A.B. 4781 (NS) was introduced October 17, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to require health insurance coverage for certain obesity treatments. The proposed bill states that provided that there is federal financial participation available, benefits for expenses incurred in the treatment of obesity. The methods of treatment for which benefits shall be provided shall include preventive care, nutrition counseling, behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and anti-obesity medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patients with obesity. Under the bill, health insurance carriers (including insurance companies, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, health maintenance organizations authorized to issue health benefits plans in New Jersey, and any entities contracted to administer health benefits in connection with the State Health Benefits Program or School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and the Medicaid Program) will be required to cover certain treatments for obesity. The methods of treatment for which benefits will be provided include preventive care, nutrition counseling, behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and anti-obesity medication. For the purpose of this bill, 'anti-obesity medication' means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patents with obesity. 2022 NJ S.B. 3259 (NS) was introduced October 31, 2022. If passed, the bill will require health insurance coverage for certain obesity treatments. Under the bill, health insurance carriers (including insurance companies, hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health service corporations, health maintenance organizations authorized to issue health benefits plans in New Jersey, and any entities contracted to administer health benefits in connection with the State Health Benefits Program or School Employees' Health Benefits Program, and the Medicaid Program) will be required to cover certain treatments for obesity. The methods of treatment for which benefits will be provided include preventive care, nutrition counseling, behavioral therapy, bariatric surgery, and anti-obesity medication. For the purpose of this bill, 'anti-obesity medication' means any medication approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration that provides for chronic weight management in patents with obesity. In New York 2021 NY S.B. 9080 (NS) was adopted June 13, 2022. The bill prohibits medical malpractice insurance companies from taking any adverse action against an abortion or reproductive health care provider who performs an abortion or provides reproductive health care that is legal in the state of New York on someone who is from out of the state. 2021 NY A.B. 7898 (NS) was amended July 8, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to establish the professional practice of community midwifery; defines as the management in the home, birth center, or community setting, of normal pregnancies, child birth, and postpartum care, including primary preventive gynecologic and obstetric care of essentially healthy individuals. 2021 NY A.B. 10008 (NS) was introduced April 29, 2022. The proposed bill relates to allowing for certain rules and regulations to be waived in order to promulgate collaboration between mental health providers to develop programs for the benefit of the mentally ill. 2021 NY S.B. 9200 (NS) was introduced May 12, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to provide for regulations to require general hospitals to allow personal caregiving visitors for patients. THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. 2021 NY S.B. 3010 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended May 17, 2022. If passed, the proposed bill will provide a premium reduction for physicians and licensed midwives who complete a risk management strategies course. In North Carolina 2021 NC H.B. 792 (NS) was adopted July 8, 2022. The bill is an act to merge the barber and electrolysis licensing boards. In Ohio 2021 OH S.B. 321 (NS) was introduced April 12, 2022. The proposed bill relates to the authority of advanced practice registered nurses. 2021 OH H.B. 645 (NS) was introduced May 11, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to authorize the operation of remote dispensing pharmacies. 2021 OH H.B. 637 (NS) was introduced May 2, 2022. The proposed bill relates to staffing ratios and other employment conditions for registered nurses employed by hospitals. The proposed bill will also, if passed, require each hospital to provide each patient admitted to the hospital for inpatient care the telephone number of the toll-free patient safety telephone line made available to the public by the department of health under specified sections of the Revised Code for reporting inadequate staffing or care in the hospital. The patient may use the telephone number to report inadequate staffing or care at the hospital. 2021 OH H.B. 730 (NS) was introduced October 17, 2022. The proposed bill relates to licensing certified mental health assistants. The proposed bill states that any professional association or society composed primarily of certified mental health assistants that suspends or revokes an individual's membership for violations of professional ethics, or for reasons of professional incompetence or professional malpractice, within sixty days after a final decision, must report to the board, on forms prescribed and provided by the board, the name of the individual, the action taken by the professional organization, and a summary of the underlying facts leading to the action taken. In Pennsylvania 2021 PA S.B. 1188 (NS) was introduced April 5, 2022. The proposed bill is an act providing for patient access to diagnostics and treatments for Lyme disease and related tick-borne illnesses and requiring health care policies to provide certain coverage. 2021 PA S.B. 861 (NS) was adopted July 7, 2022. The bill makes Pennsylvania a party to the Recognition Of Emergency Medical Services Personnel Licensure Interstate Compact. The compact recognizes that states have a vested interest in protecting the public's health and safety through their licensing and regulation of EMS personnel and that such state regulation shared among the member states will best protect public health and safety. The compact is designed to achieve the following purposes and objectives: * increase public access to EMS personnel; ¢ enhance the states' ability to protect the public's health and safety, especially patient safety; and * encourage the cooperation of member states in the areas of EMS personnel licensure and regulation. 2021 PA S.B. 225 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended June 29, 2022. The proposed bill relates to responsibilities of managed care plans, for financial incentives prohibition, for medical gag clause prohibition, for emergency services, for continuity of care, providing for medication assisted treatment, further providing for procedures, for confidentiality, for required disclosure, providing for medical policy and clinical review criteria adopted by insurer, MCO or contractor, further providing for internal complaint process, for appeal of complaint, for complaint resolution, for certification, for operational standards, providing for step therapy considerations, for prior authorization review and for provider portal, further providing for internal grievances process, for records, and for external grievance process, for prompt payment of claims. 2021 PA H.B. 2847 (NS) was introduced October 17, 2022. The proposed bill is an act seeking to amend Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in abortion, further providing for definitions, for medical consultation and judgment, for informed consent, for parental consent, for printed information, for determination of gestational age, for prohibited acts, for reporting, for civil penalties and for State Board of Medicine and State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. 2021 PA H.B. 2293 (NS) was adopted November 3, 2022. The bill is known as the Health Care Facilities Act, providing for temporary health care services agencies. In Rhode Island 2021 RI S.B. 2763 (NS) was introduced March 24, 2022. If passed, this act would require the director of the department of health by February 1, 2023, to develop in coordination with the Antimicrobial Stewardship and Environmental Cleaning task force, and make available to health care practitioners, information on best practices for the treatment of patients with sepsis and septic shock. Each hospital and freestanding emergency-care facility would implement procedures and policies in accordance these requirements. 2021 RI H.B. 7503 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended May 18, 2018. If passed, this act would require coverage for the treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, including, but not limited to, the use of intravenous immunoglobin therapy. THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. -10- 2021 RI S.B. 2605 (NS) was adopted June 21, 2022. The bill authorizes governor to enter into Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact and designates office to administer compact. Creates interstate agreement that allows limited telepsychological practice to be conducted across state lines among member states. 2021 RI H.B. 7244 (NS) was adopted June 30, 2022. The bill relates to Medicare eligible disabled individuals under age 65 eligible for Medicare supplemental policies. The bill also states that Health insurance commissioner may adopt reasonable regulations and standards for Medicare supplemental policies. In Tennessee 2021 TN S.J.R. 202 (NS) was adopted April 6 2022. The joint resolution encourages health insurers, providers, and hospitals to adopt the CDC Hepatitis C screening guidelines to test all pregnant women in Tennessee for Hepatitis C to help prevent the spread of new infections. In Vermont 2021 VT S.B. 204 (NS) was introduced January 6, 2022. The proposed bill is an act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers. The bill proposes to establish a licensing structure for freestanding birth centers. It would also require prenatal, maternity, postpartum, and newborn coverage under health insurance plans and Medicaid to include birth center services and would specify that birth centers are not subject to certificate of need review. In Virginia 2022 VA H.B. 527 (NS) was introduced January 12, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to create the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to create a process for expedited issuance of a license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth for qualifying physicians to enhance the portability of medical licenses while protecting patient safety. The bill establishes requirements for coordination of information systems among member states and procedures for investigation and discipline of physicians alleged to have engaged in unprofessional conduct. 2022 VA S.B. 414 (NS) was introduced January 12, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to Increase from six to 10 the number of nurse practitioners a patient care team physician may supervise at any one time in accordance with a written or electronic practice agreement. 2022 VA H.B. 916 (NS) was adopted April 8, 2022. The bill provides that every hospital and health care provider that makes patients' health records available to such patients through a secure website shall make all health records of a patient who is a minor available to such patient's parent through such secure website unless the hospital or health care provider cannot make such health record available in a manner that prevents disclosure of information, the disclosure of which has been denied by a health care provider or for which required consent has not been provided. In Washington 2021 WA H.B. 1779 (NS) was prefiled January 5, 2022. The proposed bill relates to requiring policies addressing surgical smoke. The proposed bill states that a health care employer must adopt policies that require the use of a smoke evacuation system during any surgical procedure that is likely to generate surgical smoke. The health care employer may select any smoke evacuation system that accounts for surgical techniques and procedures vital to patient safety and that takes into account employee safety. 2021 WA S.B. 5794 (NS) was engrossed February 11, 2022. The proposed bill relates to the continuity of coverage for prescription drugs prescribed for the treatment of behavioral health conditions. The bill states that a health carrier may not require the substitution of a nonpreferred drug with a preferred drug in a given therapeutic class, or increase an enrollee's cost-sharing obligation mid-plan year for the drug, if the prescription is for a refill of an antipsychotic, antidepressant, or antiepileptic drug, the enrollee is medically stable on the drug, and a participating provider continues to prescribe the drug. However, the carrier is not prohibited from removing a drug from its formulary for reasons of patient safety concerns, drug recall or removal from the market, or medical evidence indicating no therapeutic effect of the drug. In Washington DC 2021 DC L.B. 207 (NS) was enrolled July 11, 2022. The bill seeks to amend the AIDS Health-Care Response Act of 1986 to remove the courts ability to collect and release surveillance information and data collected by the Department of Health for statistical and public health purpose concerning incidents of HIV and AIDS within the District of Columbia and to protect HIV surveillance data and information; to amend the District of Columbia Health Occupations Revision Act of 1985 to clarify the role of doulas and to establish criteria for doula certification. The bill also seeks to: * provide the criteria under which Health Occupations Boards may consider convictions of applicants and those licensed, certified, or registered by a Health Occupations Board; «amend the Department of Health Functions Clarification Act of 2001 to create an Advisory Committee on Maternal Care Professionals; and amend the Specialty Drug Copayment Limitations Act of 2016 to allow cost sharing to be applied to an insureds deductible and maximum out of pocket obligations. THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. -11- In West Virginia 2022 WV H.B. 4351 (NS) was introduced January 24, 2022. The proposed bill relates to creating the Patient Safety & Transparency Act. The bill seeks to create a staffing plan to be sent to the Office of Health Facility Licensure and Certification, the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, and the West Virginia Department of Homeland Security. 2022 WV H.B. 4349 (NS) was introduced January 24, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to prevent healthcare facilities from limiting the number of parents that are able to attend appointments for their children. 2022 WV H.B. 4661 (NS) was introduced February 14, 2022. The proposed bill states that during a declared public health state of emergency for a contagious disease, a health care facility must permit visitation of a patient in certain circumstances, notwithstanding that the patient or the healthcare facility may be quarantined. If the patient's death is imminent, the health care facility must allow visitation upon request at any time and frequency. In all other instances, the health care facility must allow visitation, by more than one person at a time not less than once every five days a day and shall allow visitation by at least one person at all times. The permitted visitation permitted by any health care entity facility may not be inconsistent with any applicable federal law, rule, policy, or guidance in effect for the same emergency. 2022 WV H.B. 4581 (NS) was introduced February 8, 2022. The proposed bill seeks to provide safe harbor peer review for nurses. Safe harbor is a nursing peer review process that a nurse may initiate when asked to engage in an assignment or conduct that the nurse believes in good faith would potentially result in a violation of the Nursing Practice Act (NPA) or BON rules or be a violation of the nurse's duty to a patient. When properly invoked, safe harbor protects a nurse from employer retaliation for making the request and from discipline by the BON. Safe harbor must be invoked prior to engaging in the conduct or assignment for which nursing peer review is requested and may be invoked when the nurse refuses to engage in the conduct or assignment or at any time during the work period when the initial assignment changes. 2022 WV H.B. 4351 (NS), a previously introduced bill, was amended February 11, 2022. The proposed bill relates to the implementation of an acuity-based patient classification system. The bill also seeks to: * provide for legislative findings; ¢ establish a process to develop a plan; ¢ require a staffing plan to be reported; and ¢ provide an exemption from the Freedom of Information Act. In Wisconsin 2021 WI A.B. 923 (NS) was introduced January 28, 2022. The proposed bill related to claims for loss of society and companionship resulting from medical malpractice. The bill provides that both minor and certain adult children have the right to recover for loss of society and companionship and other damages if the parent is injured or dies as the result of medical malpractice. Under the bill, an adult child is entitled to bring an action if 1) the adult child has a disability and was, prior to the parent's injury or death, dependent on the deceased parent for custodial, financial, or emotional support for managing the basic or instrumental activities of daily living; 2) at the time of the parent's injury or death, the adult child was enrolled in a post-secondary education program, was dependent on the deceased parent for financial support, and, following the parent's injury or death, lacks the independent means to support himself or herself without financial support from the parent that is no longer available as a result of the parent's injury or death; or 3) the adult child incurred out of-pocket costs to pay for expenses incurred as a result of the medical malpractice, including medical or custodial care expenses or funeral or legal expenses. © Copyright Thomson/West - NETSCAN's Health Policy Tracking Service Produced by Thomson Reuters Accelus Regulatory Intelligence 27-Jun-2023 THOMSON REUTERS © 2023 Thomson Reuters. No claim to original U.S. Government Works. -12-