AN ACT ESTABLISHING THAT THE VIOLATION OF ANY PROVISION PROHIBITING THE COLLECTION OF A FACILITY FEE BY A HOSPITAL, HEALTH SYSTEM OR HOSPITAL-BASED FACILITY FOR CERTAIN OUTPATIENT HEALTH CARE SERVICES IS AN UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICE.

SB 839 prohibits hospitals, health systems, and hospital-based facilities from charging facility fees for certain outpatient healthcare services. Violating this prohibition would be treated as an unfair trade practice under existing consumer protection law (Chapter 735a). The bill directly affects healthcare providers who offer outpatient services, requiring them to stop collecting these specific fees. It establishes a legal remedy for patients or authorities to address violations through established unfair trade practice enforcement. The law aims to protect patients from unexpected charges for covered outpatient care.