Senate Bill 31 Summary

• Establishes legislative intent that emergency department charges should not significantly exceed charges for the same procedures in non-emergent settings, and costs should be shared community-wide rather than borne solely by users.

• Prohibits emergency departments from charging more than the average charged by non-emergent health care providers in the community for primary care services, as determined by the State Department of Health.

• Authorizes the State Department of Health to fine health care facilities that violate the charge limitation an amount equal to twice the excess charged above the community average for each violation.

• Creates a new section codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 1-700 of Title 63.

• Effective date: November 1, 2011.