Section 1256.

(a)  The use of the name or title "hospital" by any person or persons to identify or represent a facility for the diagnosis, care, and treatment of human illness other than a facility subject to or specifically exempted from the licensure provisions of this chapter is prohibited. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the laws of this state, the name or title "hospital" shall not be used by any sanitarium, nursing home, convalescent home, or maternity home, unless preceded by some qualifying descriptive word such as convalescent, geriatric, rehabilitation, or nursing.

(b)  This section shall not prohibit the use of the word "hospital" to identify or represent an approved pediatric supplemental service of a general acute care hospital that is either of the following:

(1)  A children's hospital as defined by Section 10727 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(2)  A University of California children's hospital as defined by Section 10728 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2001, Ch. 290, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2002.)