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 term "emergency department boarding" is defined in the bill as holding patients in the emergency department while they await an inpatient bed after being admitted to the hospital.

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 aims to develop policies to reduce wait times for admissions, improve admission efficiencies, and identify root causes of delays. The bill repeals and substitutes Section 19a-490ii of the general statutes to incorporate these changes, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to managing emergency department operations.

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