CA SB1152

Requires each hospital to include a written homeless patient discharge planning policy within existing discharge policies, effective July 1, 2019.

Mandates hospitals inquire about patient housing status during discharge planning and develop individual discharge plans that connect homeless patients with community resources, shelter, and supportive services.

Requires hospitals to document specific actions before discharging homeless patients, including clinical stability assessment, offering meals and weather-appropriate clothing, providing medications, and screening for infectious diseases and health insurance eligibility.

Obligates hospitals to develop written coordination plans with county behavioral health agencies and social service providers, updated annually, and maintain logs of homeless patient discharges and their destinations.

Exempts state hospitals under the State Department of State Hospitals and clarifies that local ordinances providing greater homeless patient protections are not preempted by this section.