Maharashtra government introduces bill to replace 7-decade-old nursing homes law, but keeps public hospitals out
Mumbai: In an overhaul of healthcare regulation, the state government on Friday introduced a bill to replace the Maharashtra Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1949, expanding the law’s ambit from nursing homes and maternity homes to hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, pathology laboratories and day-care centres.
However, while the legislation promises greater transparency and accountability, it exempts government-run hospitals from its ambit.
The main idea of the Maharashtra Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2026, which was tabled by state health minister Prakash Abitkar , is to create a unified regulatory framework for private healthcare by making registration mandatory, prescribing minimum standards of infrastructure and staffing, mandating the display of treatment charges, and introducing a charter of patients’ rights.
As per the bill, clinical establishments must provide emergency stabilisation and basic life support irrespective of a patient’s ability to pay, issue itemised bills, publish tariffs on their websites, and undergo periodic inspections.
It also proposes a digital state register of healthcare facilities and penalties of up to Rs 5 lakh for operating without registration or violating provisions.
However, while the legislation promises greater transparency and accountability, it exempts government-run hospitals from its ambit.
The main idea of the Maharashtra Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Bill, 2026, which was tabled by state health minister Prakash Abitkar , is to create a unified regulatory framework for private healthcare by making registration mandatory, prescribing minimum standards of infrastructure and staffing, mandating the display of treatment charges, and introducing a charter of patients’ rights.
As per the bill, clinical establishments must provide emergency stabilisation and basic life support irrespective of a patient’s ability to pay, issue itemised bills, publish tariffs on their websites, and undergo periodic inspections.
It also proposes a digital state register of healthcare facilities and penalties of up to Rs 5 lakh for operating without registration or violating provisions.
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