Policy Details

HB2154 – Patient access to intelligent personal assistants

Date Passed

3/18/2021

Effective Date

7/1/2021

Summary

Requires hospitals, nursing homes, and certified nursing facilities to adopt policies that allow patient access to intelligent personal assistants (e.g., voice‑activated devices) subject to privacy and safety controls. The Board of Health must amend regulations accordingly.

Healthcare Implications

Encourages patient engagement/assistive technologies in inpatient settings, with implications for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act/privacy safeguards, device configuration, and infection‑control protocols. Facilities should document consent and technical controls when enabling AI‑enabled devices for patients.

Impact Level

High

Keywords

Privacy & Data; Equity & Bias

Stakeholders

Providers & Health Systems; Patients & Public