(a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any printed materials specified in subdivision (b), that are provided to a patient by an employee or authorized agent on behalf of a general acute care hospital, as defined in subdivision (a) of, a skilled nursing facility, as defined in subdivision (c) of, an intermediate care facility as defined in subdivision (d) of, a nursing facility, as defined in subdivision (k) of, Section 1250, or a residential care facility for the elderly, as defined in subdivision ( l) of Section 1569.2, shall be printed in at least a 12-point font that is clear and legible.

(b)  The section shall apply only to the following:

(1)  Admission and discharge papers and forms from general acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and nursing facilities.

(2)  Medical and therapeutic instructions prepared by the facility specifically for an individual upon his or her discharge from a general acute care hospital, a skilled nursing facility, an intermediate care facility, or a nursing facility.

(3)  Any contract for consent for hospitalization, or agreement to assume financial responsibility between a patient and any of the facilities specified in paragraph (1).

(4)  Instructions and forms for advance health care directives, as defined in Section 4605 of the Probate Code.

(5)  Information produced by the hospital or facility regarding the rights and responsibilities of patients or residents while receiving care at the hospital or facility, and regarding grievances and appeals, including forms and instructions.

(6)  Correspondence written, printed, or produced by any of the facilities specified in paragraph (1), or a residential care facility for the elderly.

(c)  Any entity described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), and any residential care facility for the elderly, may continue to use its supply of materials that exists on January 1, 2003, until that supply is exhausted or until January 1, 2006, whichever occurs first, and thereafter shall comply with the requirements of this section.

(d)  The hospital’s or facility’s policies and procedures are specifically excluded from the requirements of this section.

(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 550, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2003.)