Committee flags language inconsistency in bill on rights of health‑care facility residents
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Summary
Staff and a DHHS attorney identified a drafting inconsistency in bill 2070: one section lists physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists while a definition later references only the attending physician; committee asked staff to not concur on that portion so it can be corrected.
Committee staff and an attorney from the Department of Health and Human Services identified a drafting inconsistency in Senate Bill 2070, which addresses rights of residents in health‑care facilities.
Jonathan Alm, an attorney with the Department of Health and Human Services, told the committee that section 1 added physicians, psychiatrists and psychologists to a list of providers but that the later definition of “incapacitated patient” referenced only the attending physician. Alm recommended making the language consistent across sections.
Committee members agreed the inconsistency should be fixed and indicated they would not concur with the current language for the affected provision until it is corrected. No formal roll‑call vote was recorded in the hearing; staff said they would prepare a correction for the committee to approve.
Ending: Committee directed staff to correct the inconsistency and return amended language for committee consideration.