The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6976 aims to address hospital emergency department diversion by establishing specific requirements for hospitals and emergency medical service organizations. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill defines "emergency department diversion" and "emergency department saturation," and mandates that the Commissioner of Public Health create policies for hospitals regarding emergency department diversion. These policies will include the necessary content for diversion policies, permissible grounds and procedures for declaring a diversion, and requirements for receiving diverted patients. Additionally, hospitals must notify the Department of Public Health before declaring a diversion.

The bill also empowers the Commissioner to adopt regulations to implement these provisions and allows for the temporary implementation of policies and procedures while formal regulations are being developed. Non-compliance by emergency medical service organizations with the established requirements could lead to disciplinary action. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance the management of emergency department resources and ensure better coordination between hospitals and emergency services during times of saturation.