An Act providing for the protection of patients and medical personnel from health care facility retaliation, for prohibitions, for rebuttable presumptions, for discriminatory treatment, for evidence, for civil penalties and remedies, for criminal penalty, for restitution and damages, for injunctive relief, for peer review activity and for exemption.

HB 226, the Protection of Patients and Medical Personnel from Health Care Facility Retaliation Act, prohibits healthcare facilities from retaliating against patients or medical personnel who file complaints, report issues, or participate in investigations. It creates rebuttable presumptions that negative actions (like discharge or demotion) taken within 120 days of a complaint by medical staff or 180 days for patients are retaliatory unless proven otherwise. Violators face civil penalties up to $25,000 per violation, potential license suspension, and criminal misdemeanor charges for willful violations, with remedies including reinstatement, lost wages, and legal costs for affected individuals. The law directly affects patients, healthcare workers, and facilities operating under Pennsylvania's Health Care Facilities Act.