The proposed bill, General Assembly Proposed Bill No. 6595, aims to amend current statutes to mandate that hospitals provide patients undergoing treatment for a psychiatric disability with access to the Internet and their personal cellular telephones. This requirement is intended to enhance communication and connectivity for patients during their hospital stay, potentially improving their overall treatment experience.
The bill introduces new legal language that specifies the obligation of hospitals to ensure this access for psychiatric patients, without any deletions from existing law noted in the text. The intent behind this legislation is to support the mental health and well-being of patients by allowing them to stay connected with their support networks and access information online while receiving care.