HB3910 Summary

• Emergency room staff members must immediately report suspected domestic violence to law enforcement if they have reasonable cause to believe a patient is a victim and has not already reported it.

• Individuals and entities making good faith domestic violence reports receive immunity from civil, criminal, or other liability, with good faith presumed in legal proceedings.

• New emergency room employees must sign a department-prescribed statement acknowledging understanding of reporting requirements before commencing employment.

• Knowingly transmitting a false domestic violence report constitutes disorderly conduct (Class A misdemeanor for first offense, Class 3 felony for second offense); willfully violating reporting requirements is a Class A misdemeanor for first offense and Class 4 felony for subsequent offenses.

• All hospitals operating emergency rooms must submit implementation reports to the Department of Public Health by January 1, 2011, describing how they comply with these mandatory reporting provisions.