S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
10715--A
I N A S S E M B L Y
June 16, 2012
___________
Introduced by COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Gunther,
Weprin, Ramos, Pretlow, Crespo, Barrett, Robinson, Cahill, Jaffee,
Gabryszak, Englebright, Peoples-Stokes, Skartados, Lifton, Cymbrowitz,
Glick, Moya, Lupardo, Braunstein, Brindisi, DenDekker, Gibson, Latim-
er, Linares, Mayer, Reilly, Schimel, Simotas) -- read once and
referred to the Committee on Health -- committee discharged, bill
amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said commit-
tee
AN ACT to amend the public health law and the education law, in relation
to a safe patient handling policy for health care facilities
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "safe
patient handling act".
S 2. Article 29-D of the public health law is amended by adding a new
title 1-A to read as follows:
TITLE 1-A
SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY
SECTION 2997-G. LEGISLATIVE INTENT.
2997-H. DEFINITIONS.
2997-I. STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING WORK GROUP.
2997-J. STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY.
2997-K. HEALTH CARE FACILITY SAFE PATIENT HANDLING COMMITTEES.
2997-L. ENFORCEMENT.
S 2997-G. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY FINDS AND
DECLARES THAT IT IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO ENACT A STATEWIDE SAFE
PATIENT HANDLING POLICY FOR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES IN NEW YORK STATE.
WITHOUT SAFE PATIENT HANDLING LEGISLATION, IT IS PREDICTED THAT THE
DEMAND FOR NURSING SERVICES WILL EXCEED THE SUPPLY BY NEARLY THIRTY
PERCENT BY THE YEAR TWO THOUSAND TWENTY THUS DECREASING THE QUALITY OF
HEALTH CARE IN NEW YORK STATE. THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS THAT CAN BE
DERIVED FROM SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAMS. PATIENTS BENEFIT THROUGH
IMPROVED QUALITY OF CARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE BY REDUCING THE RISK OF
FALLS, BEING DROPPED, FRICTION BURNS, SKIN TEARS AND BRUISES. CAREGIVERS
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04321-15-2
A. 10715--A 2
BENEFIT FROM THE REDUCED RISK OF CAREER ENDING AND DEBILITATING INJURIES
LEADING TO INCREASED MORALE, IMPROVED JOB SATISFACTION AND LONGEVITY IN
THE PROFESSION. HEALTH CARE FACILITIES REALIZE A QUICK RETURN ON THEIR
INVESTMENT THROUGH REDUCED WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL AND INDEMNITY
COSTS, REDUCED LOST WORKDAYS AND IMPROVED RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF
CAREGIVERS. ALL OF THIS WILL LEAD TO FISCAL IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTH CARE
IN NEW YORK STATE.
S 2997-H. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE:
1. "HEALTH CARE FACILITY" SHALL MEAN ANY INDIVIDUAL, PARTNERSHIP,
ASSOCIATION, CORPORATION, LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY OR ANY PERSON OR
GROUP OF PERSONS ACTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ON BEHALF OF OR IN THE
INTEREST OF AN EMPLOYER THAT PROVIDES HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN A FACILITY
LICENSED OR OPERATED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT, TWENTY-EIGHT-A OF
THIS CHAPTER, OR THE MENTAL HYGIENE LAW, ARTICLE EIGHT OR TITLE EIGHT OF
THE EDUCATION LAW, ARTICLE NINETEEN-G OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW OR THE
CORRECTION LAW, INCLUDING ANY FACILITY OPERATED BY THE STATE OR A PUBLIC
BENEFIT CORPORATION AS DEFINED BY SECTION SIXTY-SIX OF THE GENERAL
CONSTRUCTION LAW; PROVIDED THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE SHALL NOT
APPLY TO ANY FACILITY OPERATED OR FUNDED BY ANY MUNICIPAL CORPORATION,
AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWO OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW, EXCEPT THAT
SUCH PROVISIONS SHALL APPLY TO FACILITIES LICENSED OR OPERATED BY ANY
POLITICAL SUBDIVISION OF THE STATE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE TWENTY-EIGHT OR
TWENTY-EIGHT-A OF THIS CHAPTER.
2. "NURSE" SHALL MEAN A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL NURSE OR A LICENSED
PRACTICAL NURSE AS DEFINED BY ARTICLE ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE OF THE
EDUCATION LAW.
3. "DIRECT CARE WORKER" SHALL MEAN ANY EMPLOYEE OF A HEALTH CARE
FACILITY THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PATIENT HANDLING OR PATIENT ASSESSMENT
AS A REGULAR OR INCIDENTAL PART OF THEIR EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING ANY
LICENSED OR UNLICENSED HEALTH CARE WORKER.
4. "EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE" SHALL MEAN THE RECOGNIZED OR CERTIFIED
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGENT FOR NURSES OR DIRECT CARE WORKERS OF A
HEALTH CARE FACILITY.
5. "SAFE PATIENT HANDLING" SHALL MEAN THE USE OF ENGINEERING CONTROLS,
LIFTING AND TRANSFER AIDS, OR ASSISTIVE DEVICES, BY NURSES OR DIRECT
CARE WORKERS TRANSFERRING AND REPOSITIONING OF HEALTH CARE PATIENTS AND
RESIDENTS IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.
6. (A) "FACILITY SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY" SHALL INCLUDE:
(I) A WRITTEN POLICY STATEMENT; AND
(II) MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT AND EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT; AND
(III) COMMITTEES; AND
(IV) A FACILITY SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM.
(B) "FACILITY SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM" SHALL INCLUDE:
(I) RISK ASSESSMENTS; AND
(II) INCIDENT INVESTIGATION; AND
(III) RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PROCUREMENT OF ENGINEERING CONTROLS,
LIFTING AND TRANSFER AIDS OR ASSISTIVE DEVICES TO ENSURE SAFE PATIENT
HANDLING; AND
(IV) EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND EDUCATION ON SAFE PATIENT HANDLING; AND
(V) PROGRAM EVALUATION AND MODIFICATION.
S 2997-I. STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING WORK GROUP. 1. A STATEWIDE
SAFE PATIENT HANDLING WORK GROUP IS HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE DEPART-
MENT. SUCH WORK GROUP SHALL CONSIST OF, AT MINIMUM, THE COMMISSIONER OR
HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE COMMISSIONER OF LABOR OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE;
REPRESENTATIVES OF HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS, REPRESENTATIVES FROM
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING NURSES AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM
A. 10715--A 3
EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING DIRECT CARE WORKERS; REPRESENTATIVES
WHO ARE CERTIFIED ERGONOMIST EVALUATION SPECIALISTS AND REPRESENTATIVES
WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY.
2. WORK GROUP MEMBERS SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR
SERVICES, BUT SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES
INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.
3. THE WORK GROUP SHALL BE ESTABLISHED NO LATER THAN JANUARY FIRST,
TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN.
4. THE WORK GROUP SHALL:
(A) PREPARE A STATEWIDE POLICY STATEMENT OUTLINING THE REQUIREMENT OF
A COMPREHENSIVE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT ALL
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION TWEN-
TY-NINE HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN-H OF THIS TITLE. THE POLICY STATEMENT
SHALL OUTLINE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING A SAFE
PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM THAT MUST INCLUDE ALL ELEMENTS SPECIFIED IN
SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION TWENTY-NINE HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN-H OF THIS
TITLE;
(B) REVIEW EXISTING SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAMS OR POLICIES,
INCLUDING DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY CHAPTER SEVEN
HUNDRED THIRTY-EIGHT OF THE LAWS OF TWO THOUSAND FIVE;
(C) CONSULT WITH ANY ORGANIZATION, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION, OTHER
GOVERNMENT ENTITY OR AGENCY OR PERSON;
(D) IDENTIFY OR DEVELOP TRAINING MATERIALS AND PROCEDURES WITH REGARD
TO THE EQUIPMENT OR TECHNOLOGY RECOMMENDED BY THE STATEWIDE POLICY;
(E) REVIEW RULES AND REGULATIONS PRIOR TO ADOPTION BY THE DEPARTMENT;
(F) REVIEW AND UPDATE THE POLICY STATEMENT ON A BI-ANNUAL BASIS;
(G) SERVE AS A RESOURCE FOR THE HEALTH CARE FACILITIES' SAFE PATIENT
HANDLING COMMITTEES, PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION THREE OF SECTION
TWENTY-NINE HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN-K OF THIS TITLE;
(H) ENGAGE IN CONSULTATION AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO THE
FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING A STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY
APPLICABLE TO HEALTH CARE FACILITIES LICENSED OR OPERATED PURSUANT TO
ARTICLE THIRTY-SIX OF THIS CHAPTER; AND
(I) SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE COMMISSIONER BY JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
THIRTEEN IDENTIFYING SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAM ELEMENTS AND RECOM-
MENDATIONS OF SAFE PATIENT LIFTING EQUIPMENT, TECHNIQUES OR DEVICES.
5. ALL STATE DEPARTMENTS, COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES AND PUBLIC AUTHORITIES
SHALL PROVIDE THE WORK GROUP WITH ANY REASONABLY REQUESTED ASSISTANCE OF
ADVICE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
S 2997-J. STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY. 1. ON OR BEFORE
JANUARY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN THE COMMISSIONER, IN CONSULTATION
WITH THE WORK GROUP, SHALL PROMULGATE AND DISSEMINATE RULES, REGULATIONS
AND A STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY TO HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
COVERED BY THIS TITLE.
2. THE STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY SHALL INCLUDE RECOMMEN-
DATIONS REGARDING THE APPROPRIATE UTILIZATION OF SAFE PATIENT HANDLING
EQUIPMENT AND STRATEGIES; AND TO FACILITATE PATIENTS AND RESIDENTS
REACHING THE HIGHEST PRACTICAL FUNCTIONAL LEVEL WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY
PROVIDING FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PATIENTS AND THE HEALTH CARE WORKER. THE
STATEWIDE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY SHALL INCLUDE RECOMMENDED STAND-
ARDS WITH REGARD TO:
(A) THE EQUIPMENT, DEVICES OR TECHNOLOGY TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE
HEALTH CARE FACILITIES' SAFE PATIENT HANDLING COMMITTEES, PURSUANT TO
SUBDIVISION TWO OF SECTION TWENTY-NINE HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN-K OF THIS
TITLE, AND THEIR USE BY A NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER WHO IS ENGAGED IN
PATIENT HANDLING;
A. 10715--A 4
(B) THE RATIO OF SUCH EQUIPMENT OR TECHNOLOGY BASED UPON THE TYPE OF
FACILITY, THE NUMBER OF BEDS IN A FACILITY, THE NUMBER OF PATIENT-HAN-
DLING TASKS, TYPES OF CARE UNITS, PATIENT POPULATIONS, AND PATIENT CARE
AREAS;
(C) THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF DEVICES TO ENSURE THAT CURRENT ASSESSED
HAZARDS ARE ELIMINATED OR MITIGATED;
(D) ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR THE SUBMISSION AND REPORTING OF
COMPLIANCE BY EACH HEALTH CARE FACILITY COVERED BY THIS TITLE;
(E) ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR COMPLAINTS OR VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING
THE FILING PROCESS, REVIEW, AND EVALUATION AND CORRECTIVE ACTION OF SUCH
COMPLAINTS; AND
(F) PROCEDURES REGARDING THE MANAGEMENT OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT MAY
RESULT IN UNSAFE PATIENT HANDLING.
3. EACH HEALTH CARE FACILITY SHALL FILE WITH THE DEPARTMENT BY JULY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FOURTEEN A DETAILED PLAN TO COMPLY WITH THIS TITLE.
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ACCEPT SUCH PLAN BY JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
FIFTEEN. HOWEVER, EACH NURSING HOME AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE
TWENTY-EIGHT-A OF THIS CHAPTER SHALL FILE WITH THE DEPARTMENT BY JULY
FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN A DETAILED PLAN TO COMPLY WITH THIS TITLE.
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ACCEPT SUCH PLAN BY JULY FIRST, TWO THOUSAND
SIXTEEN.
4. GRANTS TO APPROVED ORGANIZATIONS. (A) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL MAKE
GRANTS WITHIN THE AMOUNTS APPROPRIATED TO APPROVED ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE
PROVISION OF SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
SAFE PATIENT HANDLING ACT. SUCH SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT SHALL INCLUDE BUT
NOT BE LIMITED TO:
(I) TRAINING; AND
(II) MECHANICAL LIFTS.
(B) THE COMMISSIONER SHALL GIVE NOTICE AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO
SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO IMPLEMENT SAFE PATIENT HANDLING PROGRAMS. IN
ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A GRANT TO IMPLEMENT A SAFE PATIENT HANDLING
PROGRAM APPLICANTS MUST SHOW EVIDENCE OF THE FOLLOWING:
(I) FINANCIAL NEED;
(II) A PLAN APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT; AND
(III) PREVIOUS IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES.
APPLICATIONS SHALL BE MADE ON FORMS PROVIDED BY THE COMMISSIONER.
S 2997-K. HEALTH CARE FACILITY SAFE PATIENT HANDLING COMMITTEES. 1.
EACH HEALTH CARE FACILITY SHALL ESTABLISH A SAFE PATIENT HANDLING
COMMITTEE EITHER BY CREATING A NEW COMMITTEE OR ASSIGNING THE POWERS AND
DUTIES TO AN EXISTING COMMITTEE. AT LEAST ONE-HALF OF THE MEMBERS OF
THE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING COMMITTEE SHALL BE FRONTLINE NON-MANAGERIAL
NURSES OR DIRECT CARE WORKERS. AT LEAST ONE NON-MANAGERIAL NURSE AND ONE
NON-MANAGERIAL DIRECT CARE WORKER SHALL BE ON THE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING
COMMITTEE. IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES WHERE A RESIDENT COUNCIL IS ESTAB-
LISHED, AND WHERE FEASIBLE, AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF THE SAFE PATIENT
HANDLING COMMITTEE SHALL BE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE RESIDENT COUNCIL.
THE COMMITTEE SHALL HAVE TWO CO-CHAIRS WITH ONE FROM MANAGEMENT AND ONE
FRONTLINE NON-MANAGERIAL NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER.
2. THE SAFE PATIENT HANDLING COMMITTEE SHALL: (A) SET CRITERIA FOR
EVALUATION OF PATIENTS AND/OR RESIDENTS TO DETERMINE WHICH LIFT AND/OR
REPOSITIONING EQUIPMENT, DEVICES OR TECHNOLOGY ARE TO BE USED; AND FOR
PERFORMANCE OF RISK ASSESSMENTS OF THE ENVIRONMENT, JOB TASKS AND
PATIENT NEEDS;
(B) ESTABLISHED PROCEDURE TO ENSURE LIFT AND/OR REPOSITIONING EQUIP-
MENT IS SET UP, USED AND MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURER'S
INSTRUCTIONS;
A. 10715--A 5
(C) PROVIDE INITIAL AND ON-GOING YEARLY TRAINING AND EDUCATION ON SAFE
PATIENT HANDLING FOR CURRENT EMPLOYEES AND NEW HIRES, AND ESTABLISH
PROCEDURES TO ENSURE THAT RETRAINING FOR THOSE FOUND TO BE DEFICIENT IS
PROVIDED AS NEEDED;
(D) SET UP AND UTILIZE A PROCESS FOR INCIDENT INVESTIGATION AND POST-
INVESTIGATION REVIEW WHICH MAY INCLUDE A PLAN OF CORRECTION AND IMPLE-
MENTATION OF CONTROLS;
(E) MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE ACQUISITION OF EQUIPMENT OR PROCE-
DURES BEYOND THE MINIMUM STATE RECOMMENDATIONS; AND
(F) PERFORM AN ANNUAL PROGRAM ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION.
S 2997-L. ENFORCEMENT. 1. ANY NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER OR EMPLOYEE
REPRESENTATIVE WHO BELIEVES THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY HAS NOT MET THE
STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THIS TITLE SHALL BRING THE MATTER TO THE ATTEN-
TION OF THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN THE FORM OF A WRITTEN NOTICE AND
SHALL AFFORD THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY A REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO
CORRECT SUCH DEFICIENCIES. SUCH WRITTEN NOTICE NEED NOT BE PROVIDED
WHERE THE NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER OR EMPLOYEE REPRESENTATIVE REASON-
ABLY BELIEVES THAT THE FAILURE TO MEET STANDARDS OF THE FACILITY POLICY
PRESENTS AN IMMINENT THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF A SPECIFIC NURSE OR DIRECT
CARE WORKER, OR TO THE GENERAL HEALTH OF A SPECIFIC PATIENT; IN SUCH
INSTANCE THE NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER SHALL MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT
TO ENSURE PATIENT SAFETY AND BRING THE MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF THE
FACILITY AND THE DEPARTMENT IN THE MANNER SET FORTH IN THE FACILITY
POLICY.
2. IN THE EVENT THAT THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY RECEIVING WRITTEN NOTICE
PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION DOES NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE
ACTION WITHIN SIXTY DAYS, OR IN THE EVENT THAT NOTICE OF A FAILURE TO
MEET STANDARDS IS NOT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS
SECTION, A NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE TO
ENGAGE IN PATIENT HANDLING UNTIL THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY HAS ADEQUATELY
ADDRESSED THE SPECIFIC FAILURE TO MEET STANDARDS. UPON REFUSAL, SUCH
NURSE OR DIRECT CARE WORKER OR HIS OR HER REPRESENTATIVE SHALL FILE A
COMPLAINT TO THE DEPARTMENT IN THE MANNER SET FORTH IN THE STATEWIDE
SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY.
3. NO EMPLOYER SHALL TAKE RETALIATORY ACTION AGAINST ANY NURSE OR
DIRECT CARE WORKER FOR RAISING CONCERNS OR ISSUES REGARDING SAFE PATIENT
HANDLING, FILING A COMPLAINT OR REFUSING TO ENGAGE IN PATIENT HANDLING.
4. NURSES AND DIRECT CARE WORKERS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION TWENTY-NINE
HUNDRED NINETY-SEVEN-H OF THIS TITLE SHALL BE CONSIDERED EMPLOYEES FOR
THE PURPOSES OF SECTION SEVEN HUNDRED FORTY-ONE OF THE LABOR LAW.
5. THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SHALL PUBLISH AND MAKE
PUBLIC WHICH HEALTH CARE FACILITIES ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THIS TITLE.
S 3. The education law is amended by adding a new section 6510-f to
read as follows:
S 6510-F. FACILITY SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY. THE REFUSAL OF A
LICENSED OR UNLICENSED HEALTH CARE WORKER TO ENGAGE IN PATIENT HANDLING
WHICH IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE FACILITY'S SAFE PATIENT HANDLING POLICY
SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT AND SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE
PATIENT ABANDONMENT OR NEGLECT. THE REFUSAL OF A LICENSED OR UNLICENSED
HEALTH CARE WORKER TO ENGAGE IN PATIENT HANDLING SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE
PATIENT ABANDONMENT OR NEGLECT IF SUCH WORKER HAS, IN A MANNER CONSIST-
ENT WITH ARTICLE TWENTY-NINE-D OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAW AND THE RULES
AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED PURSUANT TO SUCH ARTICLE, REFUSED A PATIENT
HANDLING ASSIGNMENT AND FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
S 4. This act shall take effect October 1, 2012.