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House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	June 8, 2017 08:38 AM
From:	Representative Pam Snyder
To:	All House members
Subject:	Legislation Regarding Photo Identification in Health Care Facilities

In the near future, I will be introducing legislation removing the requirement that the last names of health care professionals be displayed on their facility-issued photo identification badges. As many of you may remember, the passage of Act 110 of 2010 set forth requirements for what minimal content and features must be included on the photo identification of any employee of a health care facility. The purpose of this legislation was to ensure that patients are not deceived by health care professionals who may misrepresent their identity or professional credentials. While Act 110 of 2010 was predicated upon very meaningful intentions, what has occurred since its enactment is several documented cases of patients utilizing the first and last names displayed on photo identification badges to stalk and threaten unwitting health care professionals outside of the workplace. In response to these occurrences, my measure proposes to clarify that last names are not required to be displayed on photo identification badges and that any notation, marker or indicator included on an identification badge that differentiates employees with the same first names would be acceptable in lieu of displaying an employee’s last name. Although there currently is an exception in statute that enables an employee to omit their last name, this exception is not triggered unless the patient exhibits symptoms of irrationality or violence. My legislation simply seeks to take a proactive approach to protecting both the privacy and welfare of our commonwealth’s health care professionals. We now live in an information age where the combination of a photograph, first name, and last name is all that it takes for someone with ill-intentions to actively invade and disrupt a person’s life. The only concern of our commonwealth’s health care professionals should be that of dispensing with the best possible care to their patients, not on what potential threats await them outside of the workplace. I ask you to please consider joining me as a co-sponsor of this critically important legislation.

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