AL SB297

Hospitals and freestanding emergency departments must report quarterly to the Alabama Department of Public Health the total hours a physician was physically present in the emergency department versus hours operating without a physician on-site.

ADPH must publish the collected staffing data on its website in a searchable, standardized format with facility-specific and aggregate statistics.

Hospitals must post statements both on their websites and in emergency department waiting rooms indicating whether a physician is currently physically present.

"Physically present" is defined as a licensed MD or DO who is on-site, immediately available, and primarily responsible for clinical oversight—excluding telemedicine, on-call, off-site, or physicians covering multiple departments simultaneously.

ADPH may suspend or revoke a hospital's operating license for violations; effective date is July 1, 2026.