This bill aims to enhance patient choice regarding transfers from freestanding hospital emergency facilities (FHEFs) to acute care hospitals. It mandates that patients receiving emergency medical care at FHEFs must be given the option to transfer to any acute care hospital of their choice, rather than being restricted to the parent hospital that owns or operates the FHEF. The bill introduces new legal language that defines FHEFs and parent hospitals, and it establishes specific patient rights regarding transfer choices. It prohibits FHEFs from limiting transfers to affiliated hospitals and requires documentation of the patient's choice in their medical records.

Additionally, the bill outlines prohibited practices for FHEFs, including conditioning treatment on transfers to affiliated hospitals and engaging in misleading communications that limit patient choice. It empowers the commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services to implement interim rules and enforce penalties for violations, which will be considered unfair or deceptive acts under existing law. The act is designed to protect patient safety, ensure continuity of care, and promote community access to healthcare services. The provisions of this act will take effect upon passage.