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

Limits when a hospital may share certain info. Tells a hospital to assign which areas of the hospital are not open to the public. (Flesch Readability Score: 64.2). [Prohibits a hospital from disclosing for purposes of law enforcement individually identifiable health information or information concerning a person's citizenship or immigration status unless disclosure is required by state or federal law or court order or for ensuring continuity of care.] Requires [a hospital] hospitals to have policies and procedures in place that address how the hospital will respond if a law enforcement authority arrives at the hospital and to designate which areas of the hospital are not open to the public. Makes it an unlawful employment practice for a hospital or federally qualified health center to retaliate or take disciplinary action against an employee for distributing informational or educational materials concerning immigration rights and legal services. Allows an employee alleging a violation to file a complaint with the Bureau of Labor and Industries. Requires hospitals and federally qualified health centers to treat information concerning a person's citizenship or immigration status or a person's country of birth in the same manner as protected health information. Prohibits hospitals and federally qualified health centers from disclosing for the purpose of law enforcement information concerning a person's citizenship or immigration status or a person's country of birth unless disclosure is required by state or federal law or an order of a court. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die.

Status

Passed

Signed or otherwise enacted

Status date

Apr 6, 2026

220 days ago

Current chamber

Senate

Session

2026 Regular Session