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Bill

AB 894

General acute care hospitals: patient directories.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Juan Alanis and 2 co-sponsors

California hospitals must maintain patient directories with visitor access to names, locations, and condition status, with patient consent options for privacy protection.

Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 384, Statutes of 2025.
#generalacutecarehospitals #patientdirectories
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Bill Summary · AB 894

Legislative bill overview

AB 894 requires general acute care hospitals in California to maintain and make available patient directories that list patients by name, location within the hospital, and general condition status. The bill establishes protocols for hospitals to collect patient consent preferences regarding directory inclusion and sets standards for how this information can be accessed by visitors and inquirers.

Why is this important

Patient directories serve practical functions—allowing family members and friends to locate hospitalized patients and visit them appropriately. However, they also create privacy and safety considerations, particularly for patients fleeing domestic violence, experiencing stalking, or seeking confidential treatment. The law attempts to balance these competing interests through consent mechanisms and hospital discretion.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy vs. accessibility trade-off: Some privacy advocates worry that even opt-out systems may inadequately protect vulnerable patients, while others argue opt-in systems create barriers for families who need to locate hospitalized relatives quickly during emergencies
  • Implementation burden and consistency: Hospitals must develop and manage directory systems with varying consent preferences, potentially creating administrative complexity and inconsistent practices across facilities
  • Information security and staff training: Ensuring hospital staff correctly implement directory access restrictions requires robust training and oversight, with liability risks if patient preferences are not properly honored

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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