H.B. No. 2854, also known as the Pokuaa-Flowers Act, introduces new regulations regarding hospital visits for individuals released on parole or mandatory supervision for certain offenses. The bill mandates that a parole panel must prohibit these releasees from visiting general hospitals for non-medical purposes unless they receive prior approval from their supervising parole officer. The releasee must specify the date, time, and reason for the visit in their request. Additionally, the parole officer is required to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency about the visit using a newly established electronic database maintained by the Department of State Health Services.

The bill also addresses liability concerns, stating that the Department of State Health Services and general hospitals will not be held liable for damages resulting from visits by releasees, provided that the parole officer has made an effort to notify the relevant law enforcement agency. This protection from liability is contingent upon the absence of gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The provisions of this act will apply only to individuals released on parole or mandatory supervision after its effective date of September 1, 2025.

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