Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 588Introduced by Senator Ochoa BoghFebruary 20, 2025 An act relating to health facilities. to add and repeal Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 127620) of Part 2 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to health facilities, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 588, as amended, Ochoa Bogh. Health facilities: freestanding emergency center pilot program. study.Existing law authorizes a general acute care hospital, as defined, to offer special services, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services. Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information to oversee and administer various health programs related to health care infrastructure, such as health policy and planning, health professions development, and facilities design review and construction, among others.This bill would require the Department of Health Care Access and Information to conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care. The bill would require that the study be conducted in collaboration with certain stakeholders and that the department issue a report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2027, with its findings and recommendations. The bill would appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund to the department for those purposes. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2031.Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of health facilities, including general acute care hospitals, by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law authorizes a general acute care hospital, as defined, to offer special services, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services.This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to implement a pilot project to authorize a freestanding emergency center in the Desert Health District.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY2/3 Appropriation: NOYES Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 127620) is added to Part 2 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: CHAPTER 4. Freestanding Emergency Departments127620. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(b) The study shall do all of the following:(1) Identify rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(2) Review freestanding emergency department models from other states to determine best practices and regulatory frameworks.(3) Assess the financial sustainability of freestanding emergency departments, including, but not limited to, funding mechanisms and reimbursement models.(4) Analyze existing laws that restrict freestanding emergency department operations and propose necessary legislative or regulatory changes.(5) Evaluate how freestanding emergency departments could address disparities in health outcomes and improve access for vulnerable populations.(c) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct the study in collaboration with stakeholders from each of the following groups:(1) Rural health organizations.(2) Health care districts and other providers.(3) Medi-Cal administrators.(4) Community representatives who serve rural, disadvantaged, or underserved communities.127621. The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to implement this chapter.127622. The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2027.(a) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2031.SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to implement a pilot project to authorize a freestanding emergency center in the Desert Health District.
Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Senate Bill No. 588Introduced by Senator Ochoa BoghFebruary 20, 2025 An act relating to health facilities. to add and repeal Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 127620) of Part 2 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to health facilities, and making an appropriation therefor.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTSB 588, as amended, Ochoa Bogh. Health facilities: freestanding emergency center pilot program. study.Existing law authorizes a general acute care hospital, as defined, to offer special services, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services. Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information to oversee and administer various health programs related to health care infrastructure, such as health policy and planning, health professions development, and facilities design review and construction, among others.This bill would require the Department of Health Care Access and Information to conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care. The bill would require that the study be conducted in collaboration with certain stakeholders and that the department issue a report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2027, with its findings and recommendations. The bill would appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund to the department for those purposes. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2031.Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of health facilities, including general acute care hospitals, by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law authorizes a general acute care hospital, as defined, to offer special services, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services.This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to implement a pilot project to authorize a freestanding emergency center in the Desert Health District.Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY2/3 Appropriation: NOYES Fiscal Committee: NOYES Local Program: NO
Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025
Amended IN Senate March 26, 2025
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION
Senate Bill
No. 588
Introduced by Senator Ochoa BoghFebruary 20, 2025
Introduced by Senator Ochoa Bogh
February 20, 2025
An act relating to health facilities. to add and repeal Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 127620) of Part 2 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to health facilities, and making an appropriation therefor.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SB 588, as amended, Ochoa Bogh. Health facilities: freestanding emergency center pilot program. study.
Existing law authorizes a general acute care hospital, as defined, to offer special services, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services. Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information to oversee and administer various health programs related to health care infrastructure, such as health policy and planning, health professions development, and facilities design review and construction, among others.This bill would require the Department of Health Care Access and Information to conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care. The bill would require that the study be conducted in collaboration with certain stakeholders and that the department issue a report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2027, with its findings and recommendations. The bill would appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund to the department for those purposes. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2031.Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of health facilities, including general acute care hospitals, by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law authorizes a general acute care hospital, as defined, to offer special services, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services.This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to implement a pilot project to authorize a freestanding emergency center in the Desert Health District.
Existing law authorizes a general acute care hospital, as defined, to offer special services, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services. Existing law establishes the Department of Health Care Access and Information to oversee and administer various health programs related to health care infrastructure, such as health policy and planning, health professions development, and facilities design review and construction, among others.
This bill would require the Department of Health Care Access and Information to conduct a feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care. The bill would require that the study be conducted in collaboration with certain stakeholders and that the department issue a report to the Legislature, on or before January 1, 2027, with its findings and recommendations. The bill would appropriate an unspecified amount from the General Fund to the department for those purposes. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2031.
Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of health facilities, including general acute care hospitals, by the State Department of Public Health. Existing law authorizes a general acute care hospital, as defined, to offer special services, including, but not limited to, emergency medical services.
This bill would express the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to implement a pilot project to authorize a freestanding emergency center in the Desert Health District.
## Digest Key
## Bill Text
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 127620) is added to Part 2 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: CHAPTER 4. Freestanding Emergency Departments127620. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(b) The study shall do all of the following:(1) Identify rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(2) Review freestanding emergency department models from other states to determine best practices and regulatory frameworks.(3) Assess the financial sustainability of freestanding emergency departments, including, but not limited to, funding mechanisms and reimbursement models.(4) Analyze existing laws that restrict freestanding emergency department operations and propose necessary legislative or regulatory changes.(5) Evaluate how freestanding emergency departments could address disparities in health outcomes and improve access for vulnerable populations.(c) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct the study in collaboration with stakeholders from each of the following groups:(1) Rural health organizations.(2) Health care districts and other providers.(3) Medi-Cal administrators.(4) Community representatives who serve rural, disadvantaged, or underserved communities.127621. The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to implement this chapter.127622. The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2027.(a) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2031.SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to implement a pilot project to authorize a freestanding emergency center in the Desert Health District.
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
## The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 127620) is added to Part 2 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read: CHAPTER 4. Freestanding Emergency Departments127620. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(b) The study shall do all of the following:(1) Identify rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(2) Review freestanding emergency department models from other states to determine best practices and regulatory frameworks.(3) Assess the financial sustainability of freestanding emergency departments, including, but not limited to, funding mechanisms and reimbursement models.(4) Analyze existing laws that restrict freestanding emergency department operations and propose necessary legislative or regulatory changes.(5) Evaluate how freestanding emergency departments could address disparities in health outcomes and improve access for vulnerable populations.(c) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct the study in collaboration with stakeholders from each of the following groups:(1) Rural health organizations.(2) Health care districts and other providers.(3) Medi-Cal administrators.(4) Community representatives who serve rural, disadvantaged, or underserved communities.127621. The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to implement this chapter.127622. The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2027.(a) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2031.
SECTION 1. Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 127620) is added to Part 2 of Division 107 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:
### SECTION 1.
CHAPTER 4. Freestanding Emergency Departments127620. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(b) The study shall do all of the following:(1) Identify rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(2) Review freestanding emergency department models from other states to determine best practices and regulatory frameworks.(3) Assess the financial sustainability of freestanding emergency departments, including, but not limited to, funding mechanisms and reimbursement models.(4) Analyze existing laws that restrict freestanding emergency department operations and propose necessary legislative or regulatory changes.(5) Evaluate how freestanding emergency departments could address disparities in health outcomes and improve access for vulnerable populations.(c) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct the study in collaboration with stakeholders from each of the following groups:(1) Rural health organizations.(2) Health care districts and other providers.(3) Medi-Cal administrators.(4) Community representatives who serve rural, disadvantaged, or underserved communities.127621. The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to implement this chapter.127622. The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2027.(a) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2031.
CHAPTER 4. Freestanding Emergency Departments127620. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(b) The study shall do all of the following:(1) Identify rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(2) Review freestanding emergency department models from other states to determine best practices and regulatory frameworks.(3) Assess the financial sustainability of freestanding emergency departments, including, but not limited to, funding mechanisms and reimbursement models.(4) Analyze existing laws that restrict freestanding emergency department operations and propose necessary legislative or regulatory changes.(5) Evaluate how freestanding emergency departments could address disparities in health outcomes and improve access for vulnerable populations.(c) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct the study in collaboration with stakeholders from each of the following groups:(1) Rural health organizations.(2) Health care districts and other providers.(3) Medi-Cal administrators.(4) Community representatives who serve rural, disadvantaged, or underserved communities.127621. The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to implement this chapter.127622. The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2027.(a) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2031.
CHAPTER 4. Freestanding Emergency Departments
CHAPTER 4. Freestanding Emergency Departments
127620. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(b) The study shall do all of the following:(1) Identify rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.(2) Review freestanding emergency department models from other states to determine best practices and regulatory frameworks.(3) Assess the financial sustainability of freestanding emergency departments, including, but not limited to, funding mechanisms and reimbursement models.(4) Analyze existing laws that restrict freestanding emergency department operations and propose necessary legislative or regulatory changes.(5) Evaluate how freestanding emergency departments could address disparities in health outcomes and improve access for vulnerable populations.(c) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct the study in collaboration with stakeholders from each of the following groups:(1) Rural health organizations.(2) Health care districts and other providers.(3) Medi-Cal administrators.(4) Community representatives who serve rural, disadvantaged, or underserved communities.
127620. (a) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the implementation of freestanding emergency departments in rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.
(b) The study shall do all of the following:
(1) Identify rural, disadvantaged, and underserved areas with limited access to emergency care.
(2) Review freestanding emergency department models from other states to determine best practices and regulatory frameworks.
(3) Assess the financial sustainability of freestanding emergency departments, including, but not limited to, funding mechanisms and reimbursement models.
(4) Analyze existing laws that restrict freestanding emergency department operations and propose necessary legislative or regulatory changes.
(5) Evaluate how freestanding emergency departments could address disparities in health outcomes and improve access for vulnerable populations.
(c) The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall conduct the study in collaboration with stakeholders from each of the following groups:
(1) Rural health organizations.
(2) Health care districts and other providers.
(3) Medi-Cal administrators.
(4) Community representatives who serve rural, disadvantaged, or underserved communities.
127621. The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to implement this chapter.
127621. The sum of ____ dollars ($____) is hereby appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health Care Access and Information to implement this chapter.
127622. The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2027.(a) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.(b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2031.
127622. The Department of Health Care Access and Information shall report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature on or before January 1, 2027.
(a) A report to be submitted pursuant to subdivision (e) shall be submitted in compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
(b) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this section is repealed on January 1, 2031.
It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation to implement a pilot project to authorize a freestanding emergency center in the Desert Health District.