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Signed into law by Governor Ed Rendell (D) on November 23, 2010, H.B. 1482, the "Health Care Facilities Act," requires the Department of Health (DOH) to promulgate regulations to require health care employees to wear a photo ID tag while working. Specifically, the ID tag would include a recent photograph of the employee, employee's name, employee's title and the name of the health care facility or employment agency. The bill also outlines requirements for the size and script of the employee's title and what title would be designated to an applicable employee. H.B. 1482 would limit the use of "physician" to a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy; a registered nurse would use "registered nurse." Abbreviated titles could be used when the title indicates licensure or certification by a state agency.
The enacted legislation has two effective dates - the provisions relating to the size and script of the employee's title and the title that would be designated to an applicable employee take effect on June 1, 2015. The remainder of the Act takes effect on January 22, 2011. The interim regulations, providing more details on how the badges are to be printed, worn and used, will be published within 90 days of that date. The DOH will hold a public hearing before publication of the interim regulations.
A copy of the bill can be found at www.legis.state.pa.us.
