HB 5523
Relating to establishing minimum requirements for discharge of women in later stages of pregnancy from hospitals.
Take action
Record your position on this measure.
Sign in to record your position, submit testimony, or contact your legislator.
Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House of Delegates
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill requires hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, and emergency departments in West Virginia to ensure that pregnant women in later stages of pregnancy receive a thorough examination by a licensed physician or certified nurse midwife before discharge. It mandates that these patients also receive detailed, written and verbal discharge instructions covering topics such as expected progression of pregnancy, warning signs of complications, and when to seek emergency care. The bill aims to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes and patient safety by standardizing discharge practices.
Key provisions
- Requires a physician or nurse midwife to examine pregnant women in later stages of pregnancy before discharge.
- Mandates the provision of written and verbal discharge instructions to patients or their representatives.
- Specifies detailed information that must be included in discharge instructions, covering pregnancy progression, warning signs, and emergency contact information.
- Requires hospitals to document that discharge instructions were provided and reviewed.
- Allows the Department of Health to create rules to implement and enforce the bill’s provisions.
Who is affected
- Pregnant women
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Urgent care centers
- Emergency departments
Notable changes
- Establishes minimum requirements for discharge practices for pregnant women in later stages of pregnancy.
Arguments in favor
Reasons to support this legislation.
No arguments in favor have been submitted.
Submit yoursArguments opposed
Reasons to oppose this legislation.
No arguments opposed have been submitted.
Submit yours