Enact Women Expansion of Learning and Labor Safety or WELLS Act

sb439_00_IN

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
S. B. No. 439

2025-2026

Senators Ingram, Hicks-Hudson

To
enact section 3722.15 of the Revised Code
to
require hospitals to develop discharge plans for pregnant patients
and to name this act the Women Expansion of Learning and Labor Safety
or WELLS Act.

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
section 3722.15 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
3722.15.
(A)
Not later than January 1, 2027, and subject to division (B) of this
section, each hospital shall develop and implement a discharge plan
for a pregnant individual admitted to the hospital who is both of the
following:

(1)
Exhibiting signs and experiencing symptoms consistent with labor,
which may include contractions;

(2)
Expected to be discharged before delivery, as determined and
documented by the treating physician or practitioner based on the
physician's or practitioner's clinical judgment at the time that
discharge is contemplated.

(B)
In developing and implementing a discharge plan for a pregnant
individual described in division (A) of this section, a hospital's
plan shall do the following:

(1)
Provide a clinical justification for the discharge;

(2)
Assess the travel distance and time between the hospital and the
pregnant individual's primary residence;

(3)
Verify reliable transportation between the hospital and the pregnant
individual's primary residence;

(4)
Identify an alternate hospital or facility at which the pregnant
individual may obtain labor and delivery services;

(5)
Confirm that the discharge plan was reviewed and approved by a
practitioner who the hospital has determined is qualified to do so
under rules adopted by the director of health;

(6)
Confirm that the pregnant individual or individual's representative
has received a copy of the discharge plan that is written in the
individual's or representative's primary language and has confirmed
the individual's or representative's understanding of its contents.

(C)
Before discharging a pregnant individual described in division (A) of
this section, a hospital shall do all of the following:

(1)
Include a copy of the discharge plan in the pregnant individual's
medical record;

(2)
Provide the pregnant individual or individual's representative with a
copy of the discharge plan that is written in the individual's or
representative's primary language;

(3)
Discuss the discharge plan with the pregnant individual or
individual's representative.

(D)
The director of health shall adopt rules as necessary to implement
this section, including those described in division (B)(5) of this
section. All rules shall be adopted in accordance with Chapter 119.
of the Revised Code.

Section
2.
This
act shall be known as the Women Expansion of Learning and Labor
Safety or WELLS Act.