Last Updated: Mar 15, 2024

Sexual Assault Victim Emergency Services Regulation Listing of Hospitals That May Not Provide Emergency Contraception and Hospitals That May Not Provide Any Sexual Assault Emergency Services

This notice replaces the notice that was previously published in 54 Pa.B. 856 (February 17, 2024).

The Department of Health (Department) published final-form sexual assault victim emergency services regulations at 38 Pa.B. 573 that went into effect on January 26, 2008 and amended 28 Pa. Code Part IV, Subpart B to add specific requirements for hospitals relating to the provision of sexual assault emergency services.

Hospitals that decide they may not provide emergency contraception due to a stated religious or moral belief contrary to providing this medication are required to give notice to the Department. Hospitals that refer all emergency patients to other hospitals after institution of essential life-saving measures and decide not to provide any sexual assault emergency services are required to give notice to the Department of the decision.

The Department will annually publish the lists of hospitals in the Pennsylvania Bulletin that have chosen not to provide emergency contraception or any sexual assault emergency services. This Bulletin includes that list. An up-to-date list is available on the Department’s website at www.health.pa.gov.

For more information, please review the March 9, 2024 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin.