The bill seeks to codify emergency rules that safeguard the rights of pregnant individuals in Washington State to receive treatment for emergency medical conditions in hospital emergency departments. It establishes that access to reproductive health care is a long-standing right and mandates that hospitals provide care to pregnant patients without delay, irrespective of federal actions. A new section added to chapter 70.41 RCW specifies that neither the continuation of a pregnancy nor the health of any embryo or fetus can justify withholding care from the pregnant individual. Additionally, the bill reinforces hospitals' responsibilities regarding emergency care and charity care policies, ensuring that access to emergency care is not denied based on a patient's ability to pay.

The legislation also amends the definition of "hospital" to exclude certain facilities such as hotels, clinics, nursing homes, birthing centers, and behavioral health hospitals, while updating the terminology from "psychiatric" to "behavioral health." It introduces new definitions for terms essential to the law's implementation, including "immediate jeopardy," "lay caregiver," and "telemedicine." Furthermore, the bill includes a provision ensuring that if any part of the act is deemed invalid, the remaining sections will remain effective. It emphasizes the urgency of the act for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, or safety, allowing for immediate enactment upon passage. The bill has received strong legislative support, having been passed by both the Senate and House and approved by the Governor.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 70.170.060
Substitute Bill: 70.170.060
Engrossed Substitute: 70.170.060
Bill as Passed Legislature: 70.170.060
Session Law: 70.170.060