House Bill 5488 (sHB5488 File No. 423) proposes a range of amendments to public health statutes, with a focus on clinical medical assistant certification, adverse event reporting, emergency medical services, and licensure requirements for various health professions. The bill expands the definition of "clinical medical assistant" to include certification by the American Medical Certification Association and specifies educational and training requirements for vaccine administration. It mandates adverse event reporting by hospitals and other facilities, with potential disciplinary action for non-compliance. The bill revises training protocols for emergency medical services personnel and updates licensure requirements for marital and family therapists, master social workers, hairdressers, cosmeticians, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses. Notably, the bill also addresses the use of fluoroscopy by certain health professionals, requiring completion of a course, supervised clinical experience, and passing an examination.

Additionally, sHB5488 File No. 423 includes provisions related to hospital and health system billing practices, particularly concerning facility fees. It prohibits the collection of facility fees for certain outpatient services and for uninsured patients at rates higher than the Medicare rate. The bill requires hospitals and health systems to provide written notice to patients about potential facility fees and financial liability, with specific disclosure requirements for services that may incur such fees. It also outlines penalties for violations, including civil penalties, and mandates annual reporting on facility fees. Furthermore, the bill allows the governor to enter into agreements with federally recognized tribes for vital records and exempts certain patients from the facility fee notification requirements. The bill's provisions have various effective dates, with some effective upon passage and others on October 1, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 20-7f, 20-252, 20-12i
PH Joint Favorable Substitute: 20-7f, 20-252, 20-12i
File No. 423: 20-7f, 20-252, 20-12i