An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, in general provisions, repeals and effective date, providing for acute care mental health bed registry and referrals.

HB 493 creates a web-based registry of acute care mental health beds across Pennsylvania, requiring licensed mental health facilities to submit real-time data on available beds (updated every eight hours). The registry includes facility contact details, services offered, patient admission criteria, security levels, and wait times, helping health care professionals (like doctors and nurses) quickly find appropriate beds for patients needing inpatient mental health treatment. Facilities must provide this information to join the registry, and the public will see limited, non-confidential details like available beds, services, and estimated wait times. This system aims to streamline referrals without altering existing mental health care licensing or treatment standards.