Requires hospitals to obtain verbal and written informed consent from a patient or representative before including such patient information in a general…

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Cordell Cleare says this is needed

Under HIPAA rules (45 CFR 164.510(a)), hospitals are to maintain patient directories that include a patient's name, room location, health condi- tion expressed in general terms that does not communicate specific medical information about the individual, and religious affiliation. Hospitals can normally disclose this information to callers asking for it, unless the patient has specifically opted out from the directory. With the current system, if patients do not specifically opt out from the directory, they are likely to become victims of spam, fraud calls, or even threats on hospital room phones as callers and robo-callers can infiltrate medical facilities. Establishing an opt in model would ensure better protection of patients without unduly burdening hospitals or legitimate communications. This would support an enhanced level of privacy and safety for patients who wish not to disclose their presence in the hospital to general callers.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.