Gov. Baker To Sign ER Bill Known As 'Laura's Law' Friday

SOMERVILLE, MA — A bill designed to improve access to emergency rooms across the state will be signed by Gov. Charlie Baker Friday. The legislation, known as "Laura's Law," was enacted by the Massachusetts House and Senate in their formal session last week.

The bill was written following the death of Laura Levis outside Somerville Hospital in 2016.

Details of Levis's death emerged in a 2018 Boston Globe Magazine story written by her husband, Peter DeMarco. Levis brought herself to the hospital in the midst of a severe asthma attack, found the door locked and called 911.

She was found near the entrance to the ER about 10 minutes after placing the call and died seven days later.

The legislation requires hospitals to ensure safe patient access at all times to an emergency room or department. This could include improving indoor and outdoor signs and lighting, monitoring all emergency department access points, installing panic buttons, emergency doorbells or active video-intercom systems and other safety measures.

Following Levis's death, Somerville Hospital improved access to the emergency room, communication between emergency services and hospital staff and education regarding defined responsibilities of those involved in patient treatment, a spokesperson for its parent organization told the Globe in 2018.

DeMarco announced the signing on Twitter Wednesday.

"Governor Baker called. He's signing Laura's Law in a small ceremony Friday in the Great Hall but because of Covid just 10 people are allowed," he wrote. "Big day."