Senate Bill No. 1538 aims to address issues related to emergency department boarding and crowding by establishing an expedited process for appointing conservators for patients who lack the capacity to consent to healthcare services. The bill mandates that the Probate Court Administrator and the Commissioner of Social Services evaluate the feasibility of this expedited process, with a report due by January 1, 2026, to the Public Health Committee. The bill defines "emergency department boarding" as holding patients in the emergency department while they await an inpatient bed, emphasizing the need for timely healthcare services for these patients.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing requirements for hospitals with emergency departments to analyze specific data annually until 2029. Hospitals must report their findings not only to the Public Health Committee but also to the Commissioners of Public Health and Health Strategy. This analysis includes metrics such as the number of patients treated, admission times, and delays in transferring patients to inpatient beds. The goal is to develop policies that reduce wait times and improve admission efficiencies. The bill repeals and substitutes Section 19a-490ii of the general statutes to incorporate these changes, ensuring a comprehensive approach to managing emergency department challenges.

Statutes affected:
PH Joint Favorable Substitute:
File No. 713: