Thirty-fourth Middlesex District State Rep. Christine Barber.

From the Office of State Rep. Christine Barber

Governor Baker, in a private ceremony on Friday, January 15th, is expected to sign into law S.2931, An Act ensuring safe patient access to emergency care, also known as “Laura’s Law.” The Massachusetts House and Senate previously passed this bill to require every hospital emergency department in the state to have entrances that are properly monitored by security, clearly marked, and easily accessible, particularly to patients in distress.

The law was inspired by the tragic death of Laura Beth Levis, a 34-year-old woman who died of an asthma attack just steps from an emergency-room door in 2016. Representative Christine P. Barber (D-Somerville) and Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville) were the bill’s lead sponsors.

“This legislation will save lives– in becoming law, it will ensure patient safety and access, especially in emergencies, and I’m proud to work closely with Peter, disability activists, and hospitals on the bill,” said Rep. Barber. “Laura’s tragic death and her memory inspires us to make these changes.”

Laura’s story was featured in the Boston Globe’s “Losing Laura,” written by DeMarco, who worked with Barber’s and Jehlen’s offices to draft and pass the bill. In the story he documented numerous failings at CHA Somerville Hospital the morning Levis approached it, alone, in the midst of a severe asthma attack at 4 a.m. The hospital lacked an illuminated, emergency-room sign above any door for her to have followed, which led Levis to choose the wrong door, which was locked. Panic-stricken, her attack intensified and she collapsed before she could reach the correct door.

Under Laura’s Law, the Department of Public Health would for the first time create state standards for hospital emergency departments regarding signage, lighting, wayfinding, and the security monitoring of doors.

“In an emergency, every minute counts.  The dim lights and unclear signage took minutes from Laura that cost her life,” said Sen. Jehlen. “Laura’s husband, Peter DeMarco, has worked so hard to make sure that this will never happen again. This law will save lives.”

“A brighter sign, a guard at the security desk, a clearly marked door – any one of these things could make a huge difference to someone who’s having a heart attack or a stroke, or an asthma attack, or someone who’s overdosed on drugs and rushes to a hospital,” DeMarco said. “No one in a medical crisis should also have to worry, ‘I hope I can find the emergency room.’ With standards for all hospitals that worry will be gone, and I don’t think we will ever again hear of someone dying steps from an emergency-room door. And that will all be because of Laura.”

The new regulations will not take effect until between at least six months and one year after the end of the state’s coronavirus emergency.

“The coronavirus pandemic put a stop to so many bills this session. I feared the same would happen with Laura’s Law,” DeMarco said. “But the State Legislature came through, and now Governor Baker is coming through. They’re passing legislation that will save people’s lives. And they’re honoring Laura by doing so.”

The Governor is expected to sign Laura’s Law during a small, private ceremony Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the Great Hall. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, Rep. Barber, Sen. Jehlen and DeMarco are expected to attend. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols no media will be allowed; still photos and video footage will be made available through Gov. Baker’s office.

The bill was supported by the Boston Center for Independent Living, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America’s New England Chapter, Cambridge Health Alliance, and the Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association.

Laura Levis was an Emerson College graduate and an editorial production manager for Harvard University’s office of Public Affairs and Communications. She was an avid hiker and weightlifter, competing in competitions, and loved movies, new restaurants, her family, her friends, her cats, and coffee.