An Act relative to patient access to certain health care services
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to ensure that patients in acute-care hospitals have access to competent interpreter services when needed. It focuses on improving communication between healthcare providers and patients who speak languages other than English. The legislation seeks to guarantee that these services are readily available to all patients, regardless of their language background, to facilitate better healthcare outcomes.
Key provisions
- Requires hospitals to provide qualified interpreters to patients who do not speak English.
- Establishes standards for interpreter competency.
- Mandates that hospitals develop and implement interpreter service policies.
- Addresses the need for simultaneous interpretation services where appropriate.
- Promotes culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare delivery.
Who is affected
- Patients in acute-care hospitals
- Healthcare providers
- Hospitals
- Individuals who speak languages other than English
Notable changes
- This bill mandates interpreter services, building upon existing efforts to address language access in healthcare.
- It establishes specific requirements for interpreter competency and hospital policies.
Bill text
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
2 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
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