Provides all blind and visually impaired patients with a large print version or an audio recording of the discharge plan and preadmission information, where provided

7 Co-sponsors

• Joseph P. Addabbo Jr.
• Martin Malavé Dilan
• Mark Grisanti
• George D. Maziarz
• Velmanette Montgomery
• Kevin S. Parker
• Bill Perkins

BILL NUMBER:S328A

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to providing all blind and visually impaired patients with a large print version or, upon request of the patient, with an audio recording of the discharge plan and preadmission information

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of the bill is to direct hospitals to provide all blind and visually impaired patients with a large print version or, upon request of the patient, with an audio recording of the discharge plan and preadmission information in an effort to allow access to this sensitive healthcare information while protecting patients' right to privacy on such matters.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 adds a new subdivision 9 to section 2803-i of the public health law that directs hospitals to provide all blind and visually impaired patients with a large print version or, at the patient's or patient's representative's request, as an audio recording available on either a compact disc, electronically transmitted digital file or other medium offered by the hospital in addition to a written copy.

Section 2 adds a new section 2803-t of the public health law that directs hospitals that provide preadmission information to a patient, shall offer a blind or visually impaired patient a large print version, or at the patient's or patient's representative's request, as an audio recording available on either a compact disc, electronically transmitted digital file or other medium offered by the hospital in addition to a written copy.

Section 3 sets an effective date of ninety days following enactment of the law.

Justification

It is often difficult for patients to remember the extensive instructions given to them by their doctors upon preadmission to and discharge from hospital. Blind or visually impaired patients might also have trouble writing down instructions, which would compound the difficulty of remembering them. In addition, privacy to sensitive private health information contained in these types of documents is lost under current practices when hospital employees read this information aloud to patients.

This bill requires hospitals to provide blind and visually impaired patients with a large print version, or upon request an audio recording, of their preadmission information and discharge plan so they will have access to their doctors' instructions once they leave the hospital. This bill is necessary to ensure that such patients are able to access and follow the instructions given by their doctors and to protect their privacy of this sensitive information.

PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:.

2011-12, S.4325/A.1469-A(Rosenthal); 2009-10, S.8170(Peralta)/A.6671-B(Rosenthal)

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

Undetermined

EFFECTIVE DATE:'

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.