Senate Bill No. 1139 Summary

• Establishes new Section 39-1396 allowing hospitals and facilities to grant admitting privileges to physicians, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses with medical staff recommendation, governing board approval, and scope of practice within their license.

• Requires hospitals and facilities to specify in their bylaws the process for governing body and medical staff oversight of practitioners with admitting privileges, including credentialing and competency review.

• Amends Section 66-318 to authorize facility directors or practitioners with admitting privileges to admit voluntary patients for mental illness observation, diagnosis, evaluation, care, or treatment for ages 14 and older, emancipated minors, and children under 14 with parental/guardian application.

• Amends Section 66-324 to allow facility directors or practitioners with admitting privileges to receive involuntary patients committed by court order, transferred between facilities, or detained pursuant to state law.

• Amends Section 66-409 to authorize facility heads or practitioners with admitting privileges to admit developmentally disabled persons for observation, diagnosis, care, or treatment services.