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VA SB738
Bill
Status
Enrolled
3/4/2026
Primary Sponsor
Emily Brewer
Click for details
AI Summary
- Requires hospitals with emergency departments to have a licensed physician physically present at all times, with specific exceptions for certain psychiatric emergency departments
- Exempts psychiatric emergency departments co-located immediately adjacent to a medical emergency department with protocols requiring immediate physician response to all medical emergencies
- Creates an exception for a psychiatric emergency department in the City of Hampton that only provides psychiatric services, does not offer emergency medical treatment, and meets specific safety requirements
- Safety requirements for the Hampton exception include agreements with local EMS and transfer facilities, video physician consultations, a medical director, and staff with Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support training
- Psychiatric emergency departments qualifying for the physician exemption must report annually by November 1 to legislative committees on patient data including non-psychiatric cases and emergency transfers
Legislative Description
Hospitals; emergency department physicians.
Last Action
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
3/10/2026
Committee Referrals
Health and Human Services2/24/2026
Education: Health Professions2/6/2026
Education and Health1/16/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available