SB189 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Hospitals, elderly, influenza vaccine required to be offered to inpatients between October and March

Summary

The bill would require hospitals to offer influenza vaccination to patients 65 and older before discharge each year from October 1 to March 1, following CDC recommendations and depending on vaccine availability.

What This Bill Does

If passed, hospitals must offer an influenza vaccine to inpatients aged 65 and older before they leave the hospital during Oct 1–Mar 1, in line with the latest CDC recommendations and as long as the vaccine is available. The offer is required but not necessarily administered, and it applies to patients unless contraindicated. Hospitals and healthcare providers acting in good faith would not face liability or discipline for not complying with the requirement.

Who It Affects

• Inpatients aged 65 and older who would be offered an influenza vaccine before discharge during Oct 1–Mar 1, provided there are no contraindications and the vaccine is available.
• Hospitals and healthcare providers who must offer the influenza vaccine to those patients and are protected from liability if they follow the law and standard care.

Key Provisions

• Annual requirement: From October 1 through March 1 each year, hospitals must offer an influenza vaccine to all inpatients aged 65 and older before discharge, in accordance with current ACIP recommendations and subject to vaccine availability.
• Liability protection: Hospitals or providers acting in good faith and following accepted health care standards are not subject to administrative, civil, or criminal liability for not complying with the offer requirement.
• Effective date: The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after it is passed and approved by the Governor, or otherwise becomes law.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Hospitals