Under Assembly Bill 4642, what is required after a minor leaves hospital?

• A. No aftercare plan is required
• B. An aftercare plan must be provided after hospitalization
• C. Only a verbal discharge summary is needed
• D. Aftercare plan is decided by the guardian

Answer: (B)

Discharge planning for minors after hospitalization requires a written aftercare plan. This plan lays out the next steps for ongoing care, including follow-up appointments, needed services, medications (if any), safety considerations, and who will be coordinating care. Having it in writing ensures the family and all involved providers have a clear, shared roadmap, which supports continuity of care and helps prevent gaps that could lead to relapse or unnecessary readmission. A verbal discharge summary alone can be forgotten or miscommunicated, and leaving the plan entirely to the guardian can result in missed services or delays. So the requirement is to provide a concrete aftercare plan after hospitalization.