(a) Smoking a tobacco product shall be prohibited in patient care areas, waiting rooms, and visiting rooms of a health facility, except those areas specifically designated as smoking areas, and in patient rooms as specified in subdivision (b).

(b) Smoking a tobacco product shall not be permitted in a patient room unless all persons assigned to the room have requested a room where smoking is permitted. In the event that the health facility occupancy has reached capacity, the health facility shall have reasonable time to reassign patients to appropriate rooms.

(c) Clearly legible signs shall either:

(1) State that smoking is unlawful and be conspicuously posted by, or on behalf of, the owner or manager of the health facility, in all areas of a health facility where smoking is unlawful, or

(2) Identify “smoking permitted” areas, and be posted by, or on behalf of, the owner or manager of the health facility, only in areas of the health facility where smoking is lawfully permitted.

If “smoking permitted” signs are posted, there shall also be conspicuously posted, near all major entrances, clearly legible signs stating that smoking is unlawful except in areas designated “smoking permitted.”

(d) No signs pertaining to smoking are required to be posted in patient rooms.

(e) This section shall not apply to skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, and intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled.

(f) For purposes of this section, “smoking” has the same meaning as in subdivision (c) of Section 22950.5 of the Business and Professions Code.

(g) For purposes of this section, “tobacco product” means a product or device as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 22950.5 of the Business and Professions Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2016, 2nd Ex. Sess., Ch. 7, Sec. 12. (SB 5 2x) Effective June 9, 2016.)