HB23-1218 Summary

• Creates the "Patients' Right to Know Act" requiring health-care facilities to inform patients about services they refuse to provide for nonmedical reasons as part of the informed consent process.

• Applies to general hospitals, hospital units, community clinics, freestanding emergency departments, maternity hospitals, and rehabilitation hospitals (excluding state-owned facilities and individual health-care professionals).

• Requires the Department of Public Health and Environment to develop a standardized "Service Availability Form" by August 1, 2024, identifying reproductive health-care services, LGBTQ health-care services, and end-of-life health-care services that may be subject to denial.

• Mandates covered entities submit completed forms to the department by October 1, 2024, and provide forms to patients during scheduling for relevant services, with penalties up to $1,000 per day for noncompliance.

• Appropriates $64,627 to the Department of Public Health and Environment for implementation, with the act taking effect 90 days after legislative adjournment unless subject to a referendum petition.