HB 2

Abstract

Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that every woman has certain rights with regard to pregnancy and childbirth, including the right to receive care that is consistent with current scientific evidence about benefits and risks, the right to choose her birth setting, the right to be provided with certain information, and the right to be treated with respect at all times before, during, and after pregnancy by her health care professionals and to have a health care professional that is culturally competent and treats her appropriately regardless of her ethnicity, sexual orientation, or religious background. Requires the Department of Public Health, Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Department of Children and Family Services, and Department of Human Services to post information about these rights on their publicly available websites. Requires every health care provider, day care center, Head Start, and community center to post information about these rights in a prominent place and on their websites, if applicable. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules to implement the provisions. Effective immediately. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Public Health) HB 2 would not pose any fiscal cost aside from standard staff time with the rulemaking. The cost would be negligible. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Removes language regarding a woman's rights to receive maternity care regarding social and behavioral factors, to receive continuous social, emotional, and physical support during labor and birth, and to receive full advance information about specified risks and benefits. Provides that a woman has the right to a certified nurse midwife as her maternity care professional and to examine and receive an explanation of her total bill for services rendered. Specifies that nothing in the provisions or any rules adopted under them shall be construed to require a physician, health care professional, hospital, hospital affiliate, or health care provider to provide care inconsistent with generally accepted medical standards or available capabilities or resources. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2020 (rather than immediately).