1. A. For the purposes of this section:

   "Service member" means an individual who is a member of the active or reserve components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or Public Health Service of the United States.

   "Service member community member" means a service member, a veteran, the spouse of a service member or veteran, the child of a service member or veteran, or the stepchild of a service member or veteran.

   "Veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service of the United States and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

2. B. A medical care facility may screen each patient for information on the patient's eligibility as a service member community member and include in such patient's medical record whether the patient is a service member community member.
3. C. A medical care facility may identify service member community members as a vulnerable population and comply with the standards associated with the most recent National Patient Safety Goal to Improve Health Care Equity report published by The Joint Commission.

2026, c. 474.